Crater Basalt Volcanic Field
Volcanic field · 1,344m · Argentina
About Crater Basalt Volcanic Field
Crater Basalt Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 1,344 meters (4,410 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
Crater Basalt Volcanic Field is located in Argentina, within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 42.02° S, 70.19° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,344 meters above sea level, Crater Basalt Volcanic Field 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
Crater Basalt Volcanic Field 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 Crater Basalt Volcanic Field 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 trachybasalt / tephrite basanite, 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 Crater Basalt volcanic field in the northern Patagonia region of Argentina covers an area of about 700 km2. The field lies about 400 km E of the Peru-Chile trench along the broad regional Gastre fault system. Nine cinder cones and spatter cones produced blocky lava flows of alkali basaltic, basanitic, and trachybasaltic composition. One of the largest features is Cerro Fermín, a cinder cone that produced multiple lava flows. The highest cone, Cerro Negro, fed lava flows that traveled to the W, E, and then NE, where its distal margin is cut by a provincial road. Some of the lava flows, such as those from Cerro Ventana and Cerro Contreras, cover Holocene shorelines of playa lakes.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Crater Basalt Volcanic Field.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Crater Basalt Volcanic Field
Is Crater Basalt Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
Crater Basalt Volcanic Field 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 Crater Basalt Volcanic Field?+
Crater Basalt Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 1,344 meters (4,410 feet) above sea level. At 1,344 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Crater Basalt Volcanic Field?+
Crater Basalt Volcanic Field 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 Crater Basalt Volcanic Field located?+
Crater Basalt Volcanic Field is located in Argentina, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -42.018° latitude, -70.194° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Crater Basalt Volcanic Field?+
Crater Basalt Volcanic Field 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.
