About Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a stratovolcano rising to 3,945 meters (12,944 feet) in Ecuador's South America Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Santa Cruz is located in Ecuador, within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 0.65° S, 78.63° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. Standing at 3,945 meters above sea level, Santa Cruz towers above the alpine zone, where vegetation gives way to bare rock, snow, and ice for much of the year. The high elevation means the upper slopes experience significantly colder temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
Santa Cruz is a small stratovolcano of Pleistocene age with a caldera open to the north (Beate 1992, pers. comm.).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Santa Cruz.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Cruz
Is Santa Cruz an active volcano?+
Santa Cruz is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Santa Cruz?+
Santa Cruz has a summit elevation of 3,945 meters (12,944 feet) above sea level. At 3,945 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Santa Cruz?+
Santa Cruz is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Santa Cruz located?+
Santa Cruz is located in Ecuador, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -0.648° latitude, -78.631° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Santa Cruz?+
Santa Cruz can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Ecuador may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
