About Condor, El
Condor, El is a stratovolcano rising to 6,373 meters (20,910 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
Condor, El is located in Argentina, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 26.63° S, 68.36° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. At 6,373 meters above sea level, Condor, El 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
Condor, El 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 Argentina near Condor, El, 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 no data (checked), which influences the viscosity of the magma and, consequently, the style of eruptions this volcano produces. Rock chemistry is one of the most important factors in determining whether a volcano erupts explosively or effusively.
GVP Reference Summary
The compound volcano of Cerro el Cóndor, one of the few large stratovolcanoes located wholly in Argentina, lies within a 2.5-km-wide caldera. The complex lies to the north of Falso Azufre volcano, which straddles the Chile/Argentina border. The summit contains several ash cones and craters that have been the source of a number of pristine lava flows, one of which traveled 10 km to the west. Satellitic centers also abound; one on the east flank produced a fresh-looking lava flow that traveled 8 km to the east. The morphologically youthful lava flows and pristine summit crater imply a Holocene age (de Silva and Francis, 1991).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Condor, El.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Condor, El
Is Condor, El an active volcano?+
Condor, El 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 Condor, El?+
Condor, El has a summit elevation of 6,373 meters (20,910 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 Condor, El?+
Condor, El 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 Condor, El located?+
Condor, El is located in Argentina, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -26.632° latitude, -68.361° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Condor, El?+
Condor, El 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.
