About Blanca, Laguna
Blanca, Laguna is a volcanic field rising to 1,700 meters (5,578 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
Blanca, Laguna is located in Argentina, within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 39.02° S, 70.37° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level, Blanca, Laguna is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Blanca, Laguna is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Blanca, Laguna tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Argentina more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, 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
A group of cinder cones and associated lava flows SW of the town of Zapala at the southern end of the Loncopue graben form the Laguna Blanca volcanic field. A morphologically pristine cinder cone on the northern shore of Laguna Blanca is a prominent feature of the Laguna Blanca National Park, noted for its aquatic bird fauna, including black-necked swans and flamingos. The youthful-looking basaltic to trachyandesitic cinder cones and small shield volcanoes are considered to be of Holocene age, although no radiometric ages are available.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Blanca, Laguna.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Blanca, Laguna
Is Blanca, Laguna an active volcano?+
Blanca, Laguna 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 Blanca, Laguna?+
Blanca, Laguna has a summit elevation of 1,700 meters (5,578 feet) above sea level. At 1,700 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Blanca, Laguna?+
Blanca, Laguna 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 Blanca, Laguna located?+
Blanca, Laguna is located in Argentina, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -39.020° latitude, -70.370° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Blanca, Laguna?+
Blanca, Laguna 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.
