About Uturuncu
Uturuncu is a stratovolcano rising to 6,008 meters (19,712 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
Uturuncu is located in Bolivia, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 22.27° S, 67.18° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 6,008 meters above sea level, Uturuncu 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.
GVP Reference Summary
Uturuncu, located SE of Quetana, has two active sulfur-producing fumarole fields near the summit. Though postglacial lava flows were noted by Kussmaul et al. (1977), de Silva and Francis (1991) stated that inspection of satellite images showed no evidence for postglacial activity. Although lava flows display well-preserved flow features, youthful-looking summit flows show evidence of glaciation. Lava flows are mainly andesitic and dacitic, and no pyroclastic deposits have been reported. Large-scale ground deformation was observed beginning in May 1992 (Pritchard and Simons, 2002), indicating, along with seismicity detected in 2009-10 (Jay et al., 2012), that a magmatic system is still present.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Uturuncu.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Uturuncu
Is Uturuncu an active volcano?+
Uturuncu 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 Uturuncu?+
Uturuncu has a summit elevation of 6,008 meters (19,712 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 Uturuncu?+
Uturuncu 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 Uturuncu located?+
Uturuncu is located in Bolivia, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -22.270° latitude, -67.180° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Uturuncu?+
Uturuncu 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.
