What kind of volcano is Ojos del Salado?

Ojos del Salado is classified as a Stratovolcano in Chile-Argentina. Its tectonic setting is Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km).

How is seismicity near Ojos del Salado 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.

Towering arid volcanic cone of Ojos del Salado in the Atacama

Photo:Oscar González-Ferránvia Smithsonian GVP

Volcano Dossier•GVP #355130

27.11°S, 68.54°W

Historical eruption

Volcano Ojos del Salado

At 6,879 m on the Chile-Argentina border in the Atacama, Ojos del Salado is the highest active volcano in the world and the second-highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. The arid high-altitude complex features active fumaroles and holds the world's highest crater lake at 6,390 m.

Last eruption

750

Historical eruption

Summit

6.9 km

Stratovolcano · Dacite

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
50d ago	M2.9	CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA (NSNA)	44 km	137 km

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Stratovolcano

Ojos del Salado is an active Stratovolcano formed in an active Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km). Dominant lithology: Dacite.

Edifice TypeStratovolcano

Major rockDacite

TectonicsSubduction zone

Volcanic ArcCentral Andean Volcanic Arc

Volcano Dossier

VN #355130

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

CountryChile-Argentina

Crater Coordinates-27.109°, -68.541°

Summit6.9 km

SubregionCentral Andean Volcanic Arc

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#355130)

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Verified scientific, operational, and emergency protocols

The most recent eruption of Ojos del Salado recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 750.

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