About Chaine des Puys
Chaine des Puys is a lava dome(s) rising to 1,464 meters (4,803 feet) in France's European Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 4040 BCE. The volcano has produced 8 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Chaine des Puys is located in France, within the Western European Volcanic Province of the broader European Volcanic Regions. Situated at 45.79° N, 2.98° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,464 meters above sea level, Chaine des Puys 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
Chaine des Puys is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near Chaine des Puys in France generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. 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
Chaine des Puys has 8 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 7840 BCE to 4040 BCE. This eruption frequency indicates a moderately active volcanic system with periodic reawakenings.
Significance
With 8 recorded eruptions on file, Chaine des Puys has enough documented activity to help scientists identify patterns in its eruptive behavior.
GVP Reference Summary
The Chaîne des Puys, prominent in the history of volcanology, form a N-S-trending chain of basaltic and trachytic cinder cones, basaltic maars, and trachytic lava domes in France's Massif Central that has been active into the Holocene. Construction of the present-day Chaîne des Puys began about 70,000 years before present (BP), and was largely completed by the beginning of the Holocene. Holocene eruptions constructed lava domes such as the Puy de Dôme, whose growth was accompanied by pyroclastic flows, cinder cones that fed lengthy lava flows, and maars. The latest well-documented activity took place about 6,000 BP near Besse-en-Chandesse and included the powerful explosions that formed the Lac Pavin maar. The dating of younger tephras has not yet been confirmed, and reports of eruptions as late as 1,000 BP have been discredited.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
8 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4040 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Montcineyre, Estivadoux, Pavin |
| 5760 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Puy de Come, Puy Montchier |
| 6020 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Puy de Lassolas, Puy de la Vache |
| 6250 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Puy de Pariou |
| 6550 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Puys Chopine, Vasset, Cratère Kilian |
| 7020 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 7740 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Puy Mey |
| 7840 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Western Puy de Dôme |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Chaine des Puys
Is Chaine des Puys an active volcano?+
Chaine des Puys is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 4040 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Chaine des Puys last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Chaine des Puys occurred in 4040 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Chaine des Puys has 8 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Chaine des Puys?+
Chaine des Puys has a summit elevation of 1,464 meters (4,803 feet) above sea level. At 1,464 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Chaine des Puys?+
Chaine des Puys is classified as a Lava dome(s). Lava domes are mounds of viscous lava that pile up around a volcanic vent. They grow by expansion from within and can collapse to produce dangerous pyroclastic flows.
Where is Chaine des Puys located?+
Chaine des Puys is located in France, in the European Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Western European Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 45.786° latitude, 2.981° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Chaine des Puys?+
Chaine des Puys can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. France may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
