About Socompa
Socompa is a stratovolcano rising to 6,031 meters (19,788 feet) in Chile-Argentina's South America Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 5250 BCE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Socompa is located in Chile-Argentina, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 24.40° S, 68.25° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. At 6,031 meters above sea level, Socompa 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
Socompa 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-Argentina near Socompa, 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.
Eruption History Summary
Socompa has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 5250 BCE to 5250 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
Straddling the Chile-Argentina border, Volcán Socompa is a massive dacitic stratovolcano that lies immediately north of the only railway line between the two countries. It is the youngest and southernmost of a NE-SW-trending chain of volcanoes including Pular and Pajonales. In contrast to the latter two volcanoes, no glacial moraines have been observed on the relatively uneroded Socompa. Collapse of the NW portion of the volcano about 7200 years ago produced a 600 km2 debris-avalanche deposit that extends about 40 km from the summit and is one of the world's largest and best exposed. Undated post-collapse eruptions constructed dacitic lava domes that have filled much of the head of the collapse scarp. No historical eruptions are known.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5250 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Socompa
Is Socompa an active volcano?+
Socompa is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 5250 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Socompa last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Socompa occurred in 5250 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Socompa has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Socompa?+
Socompa has a summit elevation of 6,031 meters (19,788 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 Socompa?+
Socompa 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 Socompa located?+
Socompa is located in Chile-Argentina, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -24.396° latitude, -68.246° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Socompa?+
Socompa can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Chile-Argentina may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
