About Quetena
Quetena is a fissure vent rising to 5,730 meters (18,800 feet) in Bolivia'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
Quetena is located in Bolivia, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 22.25° S, 67.42° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 5,730 meters above sea level, Quetena 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
Lava effusions along fissures at Quetena were considered to have occurred during the Holocene (Kussmaul et al., 1977). De Silva (2007 pers. comm.) indicated that volcanism in this area is pre-Holocene and may be Pleistocene or older.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Quetena.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Quetena
Is Quetena an active volcano?+
Quetena 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 Quetena?+
Quetena has a summit elevation of 5,730 meters (18,800 feet) above sea level. At 5,730 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Quetena?+
Quetena is classified as a Fissure vent. Fissure vent volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Quetena located?+
Quetena is located in Bolivia, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -22.250° latitude, -67.420° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Quetena?+
Quetena can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Bolivia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
