About Ollague
Ollague is a stratovolcano rising to 5,868 meters (19,253 feet) in Chile-Bolivia's South America Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Ollague is located in Chile-Bolivia, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 21.30° S, 68.18° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 5,868 meters above sea level, Ollague 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.
Eruption History Summary
Ollague has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1903 CE to 1903 CE. The most recent eruption in 1903 CE places this volcano within the modern era of volcanological observation.
GVP Reference Summary
Volcán Ollagüe, also known as Oyahué, is a massive andesitic stratovolcano with a summit dacitic lava dome. A large Pleistocene debris-avalanche deposit extending westward separates the Salar de San Martín from the Salar de Ollagüe. Three youthful-looking silicic lava flows mark late post-collapse eruptions, but show evidence of glaciation and are thought to pre-date the last glacial advance at about 11,000 years ago (Freeley et al., 1993). A youthful-looking scoria cone on the lower WSW flank, La Poruñita, was initially considered to be of Holocene age (González-Ferrán, 1995), however Wörner et al. (2000) later obtained Potassium-Argon dates of 420,000 to 680,000 years. Active sulfur mines on the upper western and southern flanks are reached by a road that climbs to about 5500 m elevation. No historical eruptions have been recorded; activity has been restricted to periods of intense fumarolic activity, and a persistent steam plume emanates from a fumarole on the south side of the summit dome.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1903 | — | Uncertain Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Ollague
Is Ollague an active volcano?+
Ollague 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.
When did Ollague last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Ollague occurred in 1903 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Uncertain Eruption." Ollague has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Ollague?+
Ollague has a summit elevation of 5,868 meters (19,253 feet) above sea level. At 5,868 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Ollague?+
Ollague 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 Ollague located?+
Ollague is located in Chile-Bolivia, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -21.300° latitude, -68.180° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Ollague?+
Ollague can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Chile-Bolivia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
