About Caichinque
Caichinque is a stratovolcano(es) rising to 4,458 meters (14,627 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
Caichinque is located in Chile, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 23.95° S, 67.74° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. Standing at 4,458 meters above sea level, Caichinque 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
Caichinque 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 Caichinque, 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
Caichinque is a relatively small Pleistocene-Holocene volcanic complex that forms a topographic high dividing Salar Capur from Salar Talar. More than a half-dozen vents produced andesitic-to-dacitic lava flows, with young flows descending to the NE and SE from the summit. One prominent flow traveled 6 km to the E, forming two lobes extending into the Salar Talar. The youthful morphology of the flows suggested a prehistorical age (González-Ferrán, 1995), but de Silva (2007 pers. comm.) considered the volcanic complex to perhaps be as old as late Pleistocene.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Caichinque.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Caichinque
Is Caichinque an active volcano?+
Caichinque 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 Caichinque?+
Caichinque has a summit elevation of 4,458 meters (14,627 feet) above sea level. At 4,458 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Caichinque?+
Caichinque is classified as a Stratovolcano(es). Stratovolcano(es) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Caichinque located?+
Caichinque is located in Chile, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -23.949° latitude, -67.740° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Caichinque?+
Caichinque 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.
