What kind of volcano is Calbuco?

Calbuco is classified as a Stratovolcano in Chile. Its tectonic setting is Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km).

How is seismicity near Calbuco monitored here?

Earthquakes within 50 km of the crater are aggregated from 18 seismic networks and checked against a swarm rule that compares the current rate with this volcano's own 30-day background. Ash advisories come from the VAAC centres that are connected.

Truncated cone and rugged flanks of Calbuco volcano in southern Chile

Photo:Hugo Morenovia Smithsonian GVP

Volcano Dossier•GVP #358020

41.33°S, 72.62°W

Erupted since 2000

Chile→

Volcano Calbuco

Its April 2015 eruption came with only hours of warning after more than four decades of quiet: two explosive pulses sent ash about 15 km high, forced thousands of people near Puerto Montt to evacuate and spread ash across Argentina, disrupting flights across southern South America.

Last eruption

2015

Erupted since 2000

Summit

2.0 km

Stratovolcano · Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Activity

Normal Baseline

0 events (1.0x rate)

Interactive Volcano & Seismicity Map

Seismicity within 50 km radius, active VAAC ash plumes, and tectonic plate boundaries.

Recent seismicity within 50 km

0 events in the last 12 h within 25 km of the crater.

Time	Magnitude	Epicenter / Place	Distance	Depth
73d ago	M2.7	LOS LAGOS, CHILE (CSN)	36 km	68.6 km

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Stratovolcano

Calbuco is an active Stratovolcano formed in an active Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km). Dominant lithology: Andesite / Basaltic Andesite.

Edifice TypeStratovolcano

Major rockAndesite / Basaltic Andesite

TectonicsSubduction zone

Volcanic ArcSouthern Andean Volcanic Arc

Volcano Dossier

VN #358020

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

CountryChile

Crater Coordinates-41.330°, -72.618°

Summit2.0 km

SubregionSouthern Andean Volcanic Arc

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#358020)

Authoritative Monitoring Infrastructure

All 18 Networks & VAAC →

Seismic ObservatoryCSN / SERNAGEOMIN

Centro Sismológico Nacional / SERNAGEOMIN

Official Portal

ICAO Aviation Ash Center

Buenos Aires VAAC (SMN)

Buenos Aires, Argentina

VAAC Advisory Desk

Swarm telemetry correlated across 18 networks against a 30-day baseline.Read Science & Physics →

Regional Seismic Profile

Chile

Explore live seismic monitoring, historical danger benchmarks, fault slip models and recurrence intervals for Chile.

Earthquakes in Chile →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Verified scientific, operational, and emergency protocols

The most recent eruption of Calbuco recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 2015.

Catalogue: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program.Smithsonian GVP profile