About Meullin
Meullin is a volcanic field rising to 1,080 meters (3,543 feet) in Chile'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
Meullin is located in Chile, within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 45.22° S, 73.05° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,080 meters above sea level, Meullin 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
Meullin 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 Meullin, 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.
GVP Reference Summary
The Meullín volcanic field consists of a chain of well-preserved cinder cones along the Lago Meullín, Lago Yulton, Río Cuervo, and Quitralco fault segments of the regional Liquine-Ofqui fault zone. The cones straddle both sides of the Aisén (Aysén) Fjord and were considered to be of Holocene age (Vargas et al., 2013). The cinder cones, a few of which are sub-aquatic, extend to the south along NE-SW, NNE-SSW, and N-S lines from Yulton Lake. The largest concentration of cones lies between Meullín Lake and the older Pleistocene Meullín volcano located west of the volcanic field, and additional forested cinder cones were constructed along the Río Pescado valley south of Aisén Fjord.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Meullin.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Meullin
Is Meullin an active volcano?+
Meullin 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 Meullin?+
Meullin has a summit elevation of 1,080 meters (3,543 feet) above sea level. At 1,080 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Meullin?+
Meullin 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 Meullin located?+
Meullin is located in Chile, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -45.220° latitude, -73.050° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Meullin?+
Meullin 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.
