About Risco Plateado
Risco Plateado is a stratovolcano rising to 4,999 meters (16,402 feet) in 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
Risco Plateado is located in Argentina, within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 34.92° S, 69.98° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. Standing at 4,999 meters above sea level, Risco Plateado 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
Risco Plateado 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 Argentina near Risco Plateado, 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
The Risco Plateado volcanic complex lies about 10 km S of the Caldera del Atuel and consists of a stratovolcano cut by a 4-km-wide caldera. Two eruptive centers are located on the SW and NE caldera rims along a NE-trending fracture that extends to a cone on the lower NE flank about 8 km from the caldera. Dominantly basaltic andesite lava flows overlie initial dacitic flows. Very youthful-looking basaltic lava flows from the NE-flank center extend NE to the Río del Atuel. Lava flows from the SW-rim center extend westward beyond the flanks of the complex and those from the NE-rim center flow into the caldera and down its NE flank.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Risco Plateado.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Risco Plateado
Is Risco Plateado an active volcano?+
Risco Plateado 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 Risco Plateado?+
Risco Plateado has a summit elevation of 4,999 meters (16,402 feet) above sea level. At 4,999 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Risco Plateado?+
Risco Plateado 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 Risco Plateado located?+
Risco Plateado is located in Argentina, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -34.917° latitude, -69.981° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Risco Plateado?+
Risco Plateado can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Argentina may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
