About Bayo Gorbea, Cerro
Bayo Gorbea, Cerro is a complex rising to 5,413 meters (17,760 feet) in Chile-Argentina'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
Bayo Gorbea, Cerro is located in Chile-Argentina, within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 25.41° S, 68.59° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. At 5,413 meters above sea level, Bayo Gorbea, 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 composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Bayo Gorbea, 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 Chile-Argentina near Bayo Gorbea, 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 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
Cerro Bayo is a complex volcano of partial Holocene age located along the Chile-Argentina border. An older center to the south contains a poorly preserved, 800-m-wide crater. A younger northern center along the national border has a well-preserved 400-m-wide crater and produced lava flows to the north and NE. The summit of the complex, located west of the border in Chile, is the source of two viscous dacitic lava flows that traveled to the north and represent the most recent activity of the complex.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Bayo Gorbea, Cerro.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Bayo Gorbea, Cerro
Is Bayo Gorbea, Cerro an active volcano?+
Bayo Gorbea, Cerro is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Bayo Gorbea, Cerro?+
Bayo Gorbea, Cerro has a summit elevation of 5,413 meters (17,760 feet) above sea level. At 5,413 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Bayo Gorbea, Cerro?+
Bayo Gorbea, Cerro is classified as a Complex. Complex volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Bayo Gorbea, Cerro located?+
Bayo Gorbea, Cerro is located in Chile-Argentina, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -25.414° latitude, -68.588° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Bayo Gorbea, Cerro?+
Bayo Gorbea, Cerro can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Chile-Argentina may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
