About San Cristobal
San Cristobal is a shield rising to 707 meters (2,320 feet) in Ecuador's Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
San Cristobal is located in Ecuador, within the Galapagos Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 0.83° S, 89.43° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 707 meters above sea level, San Cristobal is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
San Cristobal is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near San Cristobal in Ecuador generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
GVP Reference Summary
San Cristóbal Island consists of a densely vegetated western part and a lower, younger eastern part with many unvegetated lava flows. The morphology on the SW side of the resembles low-angle Hawaiian shields more than the steep-sided shields of Fernandina and Isabela Island. Most lava flows on the NE part of the island originated from SW-NE-trending fissures. Some of the flows have reached the sea, where littoral cones formed. The dates of the latest eruptions are unknown, but possibly less than 1,000 years old. Kicker Rock, two small islands about 5 km off the NW coast, is an eroded remnant of a tuff cone.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for San Cristobal.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About San Cristobal
Is San Cristobal an active volcano?+
San Cristobal is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is San Cristobal?+
San Cristobal has a summit elevation of 707 meters (2,320 feet) above sea level. At 707 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is San Cristobal?+
San Cristobal is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is San Cristobal located?+
San Cristobal is located in Ecuador, in the Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Galapagos Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are -0.829° latitude, -89.429° longitude.
Is it safe to visit San Cristobal?+
San Cristobal 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.
