About Falso Azufre
Falso Azufre is a complex rising to 5,906 meters (19,378 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
Falso Azufre is located in Chile-Argentina, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 26.80° S, 68.37° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. At 5,906 meters above sea level, Falso 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
Falso 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 Falso 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 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 Falso Azufre volcanic complex is a 15-km-long, E-W trending group of overlapping craters, lava domes, and composite cones extending from Chile into Argentina. The western portion includes the high point and principal edifice of the complex, Cerro Falso Azufre, and consists of overlapping craters that produced dominantly pyroclastic products. The eastern portion, located wholly in Argentina, contains two small composite cones and two lava domes that appear to represent the most recent activity of the complex and may be of Holocene age (de Silva, 2007 pers. comm.).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Falso Azufre.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Falso Azufre
Is Falso Azufre an active volcano?+
Falso Azufre 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 Falso Azufre?+
Falso Azufre has a summit elevation of 5,906 meters (19,378 feet) above sea level. At 5,906 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Falso Azufre?+
Falso Azufre is classified as a Complex. Complex volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Falso Azufre located?+
Falso 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 -26.800° latitude, -68.370° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Falso Azufre?+
Falso 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.
