About Copiapo
Copiapo is a stratovolcano rising to 6,052 meters (19,857 feet) in Chile'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
Copiapo is located in Chile, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 27.30° S, 69.13° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. At 6,052 meters above sea level, Copiapo 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 Copiapó in Atacama province SW of Nevados Ojos del Salado volcano is a dominantly Miocene-Pliocene stratovolcano. Eight andesitic pyroclastic cones are located primarily on the SE flank of the 6052-m-high volcano. The most recent cone, Volcán San Román, lies 7 km north of Copiapó and was considered to be of probable Pleistocene age, related to late-stage reactivation of Pleistocene-Holocene fissures cutting the Ojos del Salado region (González-Ferrán, 1995). This dacitic-to-andesitic volcano was reported by Von Wolff (1929) to display solfataric activity.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Copiapo.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Copiapo
Is Copiapo an active volcano?+
Copiapo 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 Copiapo?+
Copiapo has a summit elevation of 6,052 meters (19,857 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 Copiapo?+
Copiapo 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 Copiapo located?+
Copiapo is located in Chile, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -27.300° latitude, -69.130° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Copiapo?+
Copiapo can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Chile may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
