About Coropuna
Coropuna is a stratovolcano rising to 6,377 meters (20,923 feet) in Peru'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
Coropuna is located in Peru, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 15.52° S, 72.65° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 6,377 meters above sea level, Coropuna reaches well into the permanent snow and ice zone. Glaciers and snowpack on the upper slopes create the potential for lahars — destructive volcanic mudflows — during eruptions, as heat rapidly melts ice and snow. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Coropuna sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in Peru near Coropuna, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is andesite / basaltic andesite, 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
Nevado Coropuna is a massive ice-covered volcanic complex with multiple summit cones built over a 12 x 20 km area. The summit of the andesitic-to-dacitic complex is a cone at the NW end, north of a line of E-W-trending cones. Deep, steep-walled, canyons surrounding the volcano have produced topographic relief of more than 4,000 m over a horizontal distance of 15 km. Dark-colored younger lava flows descend the NE, SE, and W flanks, but the age of the most recent eruptions are not known. Solfataric activity has been reported.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Coropuna.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Coropuna
Is Coropuna an active volcano?+
Coropuna 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 Coropuna?+
Coropuna has a summit elevation of 6,377 meters (20,923 feet) above sea level. This makes it one of the tallest volcanoes in the world, comparable in height to some of the highest peaks in the Andes.
What type of volcano is Coropuna?+
Coropuna 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 Coropuna located?+
Coropuna is located in Peru, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -15.520° latitude, -72.650° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Coropuna?+
Coropuna can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Peru may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
