About Apagado
Apagado is a pyroclastic cone rising to 1,210 meters (3,970 feet) in Chile's South America Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption dates to 590 BCE, in prehistoric times. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption, with a maximum Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 4.
Geography & Climate
Apagado is located in Chile, within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 41.88° S, 72.58° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,210 meters above sea level, Apagado is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a minor, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Apagado 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 Apagado, 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 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.
Eruption History Summary
Apagado has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 590 BCE to 590 BCE. The most powerful recorded event was a cataclysmic eruption with ash columns reaching the stratosphere in 590 BCE, reaching VEI 4 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index.
Significance
With a maximum recorded VEI of 4, Apagado has demonstrated the capacity for significant explosive eruptions that can impact regional aviation, agriculture, and communities tens of kilometers from the summit. VEI 4 eruptions produce ash columns reaching 15-25 kilometers into the atmosphere.
GVP Reference Summary
Volcán Apagado, also known as Hualiaque, is located W of Hornopirén volcano and SW of Yate on the peninsula between the Gulf of Ancud and the Reloncaví estuary. The sparsely vegetated pyroclastic cone contains a well-preserved summit crater; scoria deposits have a calibrated age of about 2,500 years BP. A 6-km-wide depression open to the SW mentioned by González-Ferrán (1995), and a small lava flow passing through that breach, are not prominent on satellite imagery.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 590 BCE | 4 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Apagado
Is Apagado an active volcano?+
Apagado is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 590 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Apagado last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Apagado occurred in 590 BCE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 4. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Apagado has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Apagado?+
Apagado has a summit elevation of 1,210 meters (3,970 feet) above sea level. At 1,210 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Apagado?+
Apagado is classified as a Pyroclastic cone. Pyroclastic cone volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Apagado located?+
Apagado is located in Chile, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -41.880° latitude, -72.580° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Apagado?+
Apagado 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.
