About Huambo
Huambo is a volcanic field rising to 4,554 meters (14,942 feet) in Peru's South America Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption dates to 700 BCE, in prehistoric times. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Huambo is located in Peru, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 15.78° S, 72.08° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. Standing at 4,554 meters above sea level, Huambo 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 cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Huambo 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 Huambo, 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 trachyandesite / basaltic trachyandesite, 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
Huambo has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 700 BCE to 700 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
The monogenetic Huambo volcanic field lies SSE of the Andahua-Orcocampo volcanic field, west of Sabancaya volcano. The field is divided into two segments. The southern area contains several cinder cones and associated lava flows, some of which are inferred to be of early to late-Holocene age on the basis of morphological criteria. The northern part contains a single vent, the Cerro Keyocc cinder cone, which produced an extensive lava field that covered a plateau to the north during an eruption radiocarbon dated at about 2,650 years ago.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Cerro Keyocc |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Huambo
Is Huambo an active volcano?+
Huambo is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 700 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Huambo last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Huambo occurred in 700 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Huambo has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Huambo?+
Huambo has a summit elevation of 4,554 meters (14,942 feet) above sea level. At 4,554 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Huambo?+
Huambo is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Huambo located?+
Huambo is located in Peru, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -15.780° latitude, -72.080° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Huambo?+
Huambo 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.
