About Chiliques
Chiliques is a stratovolcano rising to 5,778 meters (18,958 feet) in Chile'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
Chiliques is located in Chile, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 23.58° S, 67.70° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. At 5,778 meters above sea level, Chiliques 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.
Geological Context
Chiliques 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 near Chiliques, 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 andesite / basaltic andesite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
GVP Reference Summary
Volcán Chiliques is a structurally simple stratovolcano located immediately south of Laguna Lejía. The summit contains a 500-m-wide crater. Several youthful lava flows, some of which are considered to be of possible Holocene age (de Silva, 2007 pers. comm.), descend its flanks. The largest of these extends 5 km NW. Older lava flows reach up to 10 km from the summit on the N flank. This volcano had previously been considered to be dormant; however, in 2002 a NASA nighttime thermal infrared satellite image from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) showed low-level hot spots in the summit crater and upper flanks.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Chiliques.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiliques
Is Chiliques an active volcano?+
Chiliques is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Chiliques?+
Chiliques has a summit elevation of 5,778 meters (18,958 feet) above sea level. At 5,778 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Chiliques?+
Chiliques 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 Chiliques located?+
Chiliques is located in Chile, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -23.580° latitude, -67.700° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Chiliques?+
Chiliques can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Chile may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
