About Chachani Volcanic Complex
Chachani Volcanic Complex is a stratovolcano rising to 6,059 meters (19,880 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
Chachani Volcanic Complex is located in Peru, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 16.18° S, 71.53° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 6,059 meters above sea level, Chachani Volcanic Complex 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 cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
The andesitic-dacitic Chachani Volcanic Complex, located immediately north of Arequipa, consists of a 320 km2 group of Pleistocene lava domes, a stratovolcano complex, and a flank shield volcano. The central Nevado Chachani edifice contains multiple vents along an arcuate line, including a well-defined summit crater at the western end. Two early Pleistocene ignimbrites were erupted from now-buried vents of older edifices. Pleistocene lava domes form the northern end of the complex. Thin lava flows from Chachani overlie glacial moraines. The 8-km-wide lava shield of Pampa de Palacio on the SW side produced a well-preserved lava flow field that represents the youngest products of the complex. In a comprehensive review of the Chachani volcanic cluster, Aguilar et al. (2022) found that the Cabreria cone on the S flank had most recent eruption, 40Ar-39Ar dated at 56.5 +/- 31.6 ka.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Chachani Volcanic Complex.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Chachani Volcanic Complex
Is Chachani Volcanic Complex an active volcano?+
Chachani Volcanic Complex 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 Chachani Volcanic Complex?+
Chachani Volcanic Complex has a summit elevation of 6,059 meters (19,880 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 Chachani Volcanic Complex?+
Chachani Volcanic Complex 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 Chachani Volcanic Complex located?+
Chachani Volcanic Complex is located in Peru, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -16.179° latitude, -71.529° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Chachani Volcanic Complex?+
Chachani Volcanic Complex 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.
