About Tipas
Tipas is a complex rising to 6,658 meters (21,845 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
Tipas is located in Argentina, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 27.20° S, 68.56° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. At 6,658 meters above sea level, Tipas 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
Tipas 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 Tipas, 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
This massive volcanic complex is the world's third highest active volcano, but remains largely unknown. Cerro Tipas (also known as Walter Penk or Cazadero), is located immediately SSW of its better known neighbor, Nevados Ojos del Salado, Earth's highest volcano. The summit of Tipas lies within Argentina, immediately south of the Chilean border. This complex of craters, cones, lava domes and lava flows covers an area of 25 km2. It displays a youthful morphology, and its latest eruptions were considered by de Silva and Francis (1991) to be of Holocene age.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Tipas.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Tipas
Is Tipas an active volcano?+
Tipas 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 Tipas?+
Tipas has a summit elevation of 6,658 meters (21,845 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 Tipas?+
Tipas is classified as a Complex. Complex volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Tipas located?+
Tipas is located in Argentina, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -27.196° latitude, -68.561° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Tipas?+
Tipas 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.
