About Tuzgle
Tuzgle is a stratovolcano rising to 5,486 meters (18,000 feet) in Argentina'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
Tuzgle is located in Argentina, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 24.06° S, 66.48° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. At 5,486 meters above sea level, Tuzgle 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
The Cerro Tuzgle stratovolcano rises ~1 km above the surrounding land surface in the Northern Puna of Argentina, ~120 km E of the main volcanic arc of the central Andes. Activity began with the eruption of a rhyodacitic ignimbrite, followed by construction of a lava dome complex on the rim of an existing caldera. Andesitic lava flows covered much of the dome complex and later partially filled the crater. Several edifice-collapse events have occurred. The youngest flows were erupted onto the SW flank from a summit vent, with older flows down multiple other flanks. Schwab and Lippolt (1976) obtained a K-Ar date of 0.1 Ma on what they believed to be the youngest lava. However, de Silva and Francis (1991) and González-Ferrán (1995) considered the latest activity to be Holocene, and Coira and Kay (1993, Fig. 2B) placed the youngest flow at the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary. Giordano et al. (2013) listed the "Young Lava Flow" as Pleistocene.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Tuzgle.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Tuzgle
Is Tuzgle an active volcano?+
Tuzgle 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 Tuzgle?+
Tuzgle has a summit elevation of 5,486 meters (18,000 feet) above sea level. At 5,486 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Tuzgle?+
Tuzgle 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 Tuzgle located?+
Tuzgle is located in Argentina, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -24.056° latitude, -66.479° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Tuzgle?+
Tuzgle can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Argentina may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
