About Cay
Cay is a stratovolcano rising to 2,090 meters (6,857 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
Cay is located in Chile, within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 45.06° S, 72.98° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At 2,090 meters above sea level, Cay rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. 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
Cay 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 near Cay, 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.
GVP Reference Summary
Volcán Cay, located E of Macá volcano and NW of the town of Puerto Aisén, is a basaltic to dacitic stratovolcano. An explosion crater is open to the E, and about a half dozen explosion craters and pyroclastic cones lie along a fissure trending SW of the summit. Another 10 basaltic pyroclastic cones are located along a second parallel fissure 5 km SE that is part of the major regional Liquiñe-Ofqui fault zone. These cones were considered to be Holocene by González-Ferrán (1995), but Naranjo and Stern (2004) found no evidence for Holocene tephra deposits.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Cay.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Cay
Is Cay an active volcano?+
Cay 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 Cay?+
Cay has a summit elevation of 2,090 meters (6,857 feet) above sea level. At 2,090 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Cay?+
Cay 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 Cay located?+
Cay is located in Chile, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -45.059° latitude, -72.984° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Cay?+
Cay 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.
