Tromen Volcanic Plateau

Geography & Climate

Tromen Volcanic Plateau is located in Argentina, within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 37.14° S, 70.03° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. Standing at 4,114 meters above sea level, Tromen Volcanic Plateau towers above the alpine zone, where vegetation gives way to bare rock, snow, and ice for much of the year. The high elevation means the upper slopes experience significantly colder temperatures than surrounding lowlands. 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

Tromen Volcanic Plateau 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 Tromen Volcanic Plateau, 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 andesite / basaltic andesite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.

Eruption History Summary

Tromen Volcanic Plateau has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 1751 CE to 1822 CE. The most powerful recorded event was a severe eruption capable of regional ash fall and pyroclastic flows in 1751 CE, reaching VEI 3 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. These eruptions span roughly 71 years of volcanic history.

Significance

With a maximum recorded VEI of 3, Tromen Volcanic Plateau has produced eruptions capable of generating pyroclastic flows and significant ash fall in the surrounding area. While not among the largest eruptions globally, VEI 3 events pose serious hazards to local populations and can disrupt regional air travel.

GVP Reference Summary

Tromen is an Argentinian stratovolcano that is the primary structure in an elongated volcanic plateau or field that extends about 70 km from Tilhue in the S to Piujenta in the N, including the Boliviano caldera and Palao dome. The Pleistocene Volcán Cerro Negro del Tromen lies immediately north. At the SSW end of this chain is Cerro Tilhue, of Pleistocene-Holocene age. The youngest lava flows originated from flank vents and descended the N and NE sides of the andesitic-to-rhyolitic volcanic complex. Holocene vents are also located in the Cerro Michico area on the lower NE flank. Eruptions were reported in the mid-18th century and in 1822. Von Wolff (1929) attributed purported eruptions of Pomahuida in 1820, 1823, 1827, and 1828 as being from Tromen, but these are not confirmed.

— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program