About Auquihuato, Cerro
Auquihuato, Cerro is a pyroclastic cone rising to 5,001 meters (16,408 feet) in Peru'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
Auquihuato, Cerro is located in Peru, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 15.07° S, 73.19° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 5,001 meters above sea level, Auquihuato, Cerro 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 minor, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Auquihuato, Cerro 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 Peru near Auquihuato, Cerro, 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 Cerro Auquihuato cinder cone lies ~30 km NE of Sara Sara volcano. Along with older cones, it was constructed along the southern rim of an isolated high plateau east of the Río Ocona. The cone fed a lava flow with very prominent levees that traveled southward down a river valley dissecting the margins of the plateau. The Instituto Geofísico del Perú lists it as having undated Holocene activity (as of June 2025).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Auquihuato, Cerro.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Auquihuato, Cerro
Is Auquihuato, Cerro an active volcano?+
Auquihuato, Cerro 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 Auquihuato, Cerro?+
Auquihuato, Cerro has a summit elevation of 5,001 meters (16,408 feet) above sea level. At 5,001 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Auquihuato, Cerro?+
Auquihuato, Cerro is classified as a Pyroclastic cone. Pyroclastic cone volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Auquihuato, Cerro located?+
Auquihuato, Cerro is located in Peru, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -15.073° latitude, -73.191° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Auquihuato, Cerro?+
Auquihuato, Cerro can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Peru may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
