About Cordon del Azufre
Cordon del Azufre is a complex rising to 5,481 meters (17,983 feet) in Chile-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
Cordon del Azufre is located in Chile-Argentina, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 25.34° S, 68.52° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. At 5,481 meters above sea level, Cordon del Azufre 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
Cordon del Azufre 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 Cordon del Azufre, 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
Cordón del Azufre is a small volcanic complex straddling the Chile-Argentina border. The complex consists of a cluster of lava flows from vents on the NE side, wholly within Argentina, and a 5-km-long chain of vents along the border with Chile. An older andesitic-dacitic edifice with a 1.3-km-wide crater was mostly covered by younger Holocene andesitic lava flows. The youngest cone, 300-m-high Volcán la Moyra, was the source of fresh-looking blocky andesitic lava flows that descended 6 km into Chile and 3 km into Argentina.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Cordon del Azufre.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Cordon del Azufre
Is Cordon del Azufre an active volcano?+
Cordon del Azufre 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 Cordon del Azufre?+
Cordon del Azufre has a summit elevation of 5,481 meters (17,983 feet) above sea level. At 5,481 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Cordon del Azufre?+
Cordon del Azufre is classified as a Complex. Complex volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Cordon del Azufre located?+
Cordon del Azufre 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 -25.336° latitude, -68.521° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Cordon del Azufre?+
Cordon del Azufre 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.
