About Antofalla
Antofalla is a stratovolcano(es) rising to 6,409 meters (21,028 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
Antofalla is located in Argentina, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 25.55° S, 67.92° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. At 6,409 meters above sea level, Antofalla 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
Volcán Antofalla is a 6409-m-high Argentinian stratovolcano west of the Salar de Antofalla. The andesitic-to-rhyolitic main edifice is surrounded by a circular ring of smaller satellitic stratovolcanoes. Sapper (1917) reported "smoke" clouds from Volcán Antofalla in 1901 and 1911, but detailed study showed that its youngest rocks were erupted during the early Pleistocene (Richards et al., 2006). Younger small-volume monogenetic volcanism took place on the SW and western flanks later in the Pleistocene.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Antofalla.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Antofalla
Is Antofalla an active volcano?+
Antofalla 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 Antofalla?+
Antofalla has a summit elevation of 6,409 meters (21,028 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 Antofalla?+
Antofalla is classified as a Stratovolcano(es). Stratovolcano(es) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Antofalla located?+
Antofalla is located in Argentina, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -25.550° latitude, -67.920° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Antofalla?+
Antofalla 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.
