What kind of volcano is Villarrica?

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

How is seismicity near Villarrica 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.

Snow-covered cone and active lava lake crater of Villarrica, Chile

Photo:Lee Siebertvia Smithsonian GVP

Volcano Dossier•GVP #357120

39.42°S, 71.93°W

Erupted since 2000

Chile→

Volcano Villarrica

One of the most active volcanoes in South America, overlooking the Chilean resort town of Pucon. Its summit crater often holds a lava lake, and its glacier means that even short eruptions, like the lava fountain of March 2015, can send lahars along the rivers below.

Last eruption

2025

Erupted since 2000

Summit

2.8 km

Stratovolcano · Basalt / Picro-Basalt

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
14d ago	M2.6	12 km al NO de Villarrica, Chile	41 km	86 km

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Stratovolcano

Villarrica is an active Stratovolcano formed in an active Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km). Dominant lithology: Basalt / Picro-Basalt.

Edifice TypeStratovolcano

Major rockBasalt / Picro-Basalt

TectonicsSubduction zone

Volcanic ArcSouthern Andean Volcanic Arc

Volcano Dossier

VN #357120

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

CountryChile

Crater Coordinates-39.420°, -71.930°

Summit2.8 km

SubregionSouthern Andean Volcanic Arc

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#357120)

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 Villarrica recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 2025.

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