About Negrillar, La
Negrillar, La is a pyroclastic cone(s) rising to 4,220 meters (13,846 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
Negrillar, La is located in Chile, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 24.32° S, 68.59° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. Standing at 4,220 meters above sea level, Negrillar, La towers above the alpine zone, where vegetation gives way to bare rock, snow, and ice for much of the year. The high elevation means the upper slopes experience significantly colder temperatures than surrounding lowlands. 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
Negrillar, La 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 Negrillar, La, 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
The basaltic andesite La Negrillar cone and lava flow complex (also known as Aguas Perdidas) covers a roughly 50 km2 area along the SW margin of the Atacama basin about 35 km WNW of Socompa volcano between the small Sierra San Juan and Sierra Almeida ranges. It was interpreted to be Holocene by de Silva and Francis (1991), though Gardeweg (1993, pers. comm.) did not consider it to be of Holocene age. Additionally, de Silva (2007, pers. comm.) noted that it was not as youthful looking as the El Negrillar complex to the N, although it did show leveed lava flows and pristine craters.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Negrillar, La.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Negrillar, La
Is Negrillar, La an active volcano?+
Negrillar, La 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 Negrillar, La?+
Negrillar, La has a summit elevation of 4,220 meters (13,846 feet) above sea level. At 4,220 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Negrillar, La?+
Negrillar, La is classified as a Pyroclastic cone(s). Pyroclastic cones (or cinder cones) are small, steep-sided volcanic cones built from fragments of lava blasted into the air. They are the simplest type of volcano and often form in groups.
Where is Negrillar, La located?+
Negrillar, La is located in Chile, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -24.319° latitude, -68.590° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Negrillar, La?+
Negrillar, La 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.
