About Guayaques
Guayaques is a lava dome(s) rising to 5,598 meters (18,367 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.
Geography & Climate
Guayaques is located in Chile-Bolivia, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 22.89° S, 67.57° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 5,598 meters above sea level, Guayaques 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 minor, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Guayaques 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 Chile-Bolivia near Guayaques, 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 dacite, an intermediate to silica-rich volcanic rock. This composition typically produces more viscous magma, leading to more explosive eruptions with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Andesitic and dacitic magmas build pressure before erupting, which is why volcanoes with this rock chemistry are often associated with Plinian-style eruptions that can send ash tens of kilometers into the atmosphere and disrupt aviation across entire regions.
GVP Reference Summary
The Cerros de Guayaques group of N-S-trending rhyodacitic lava domes straddles the Chile-Bolivia border. The 10-km-long chain is located immediately E of the Purico pyroclastic shield. There is some evidence for Holocene activity, and the youngest domes appear to be N of the summit crater of the dome complex (de Silva and Francis, 1991). A well-defined summit crater was the source of the largest lava flows, which traveled 3 km to the SW. There are no records of historical activity.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Guayaques.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Guayaques
Is Guayaques an active volcano?+
Guayaques 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 Guayaques?+
Guayaques has a summit elevation of 5,598 meters (18,367 feet) above sea level. At 5,598 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Guayaques?+
Guayaques is classified as a Lava dome(s). Lava domes are mounds of viscous lava that pile up around a volcanic vent. They grow by expansion from within and can collapse to produce dangerous pyroclastic flows.
Where is Guayaques located?+
Guayaques 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 -22.895° latitude, -67.566° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Guayaques?+
Guayaques 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.
