What kind of volcano is Chimborazo?

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

How is seismicity near Chimborazo 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.

Chimborazo stratovolcano summit glinting in the equatorial sunset

Photo:Maksym Kaharlytskyivia Unsplash

Volcano Dossier•GVP #352071

1.47°S, 78.82°W

Historical eruption

Volcano Chimborazo

El pico más alto de Ecuador, con 6.261 m, es un masivo estratovolcán glaciar en los Andes. Debido al abultamiento ecuatorial de la Tierra, la cumbre del Chimborazo es el punto de la superficie terrestre más alejado del centro del planeta y el más cercano a las estrellas.

Last Eruption

550

Historical eruption

Summit Elevation

6.3 km

Estratovolcán · Andesita / Andesita basáltica

Seismic State

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.

Hora	Magnitud	Epicentro / Ubicación	Distancia	Profundidad
25d ago	M2.1	17 km al SE de Ambato (Ecuador)	33 km	12 km
28d ago	M3.0	17 km al NE de Ambato (Ecuador)	48 km	11 km

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Estratovolcán

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

Edifice TypeEstratovolcán

Major RockAndesita / Andesita basáltica

Tectonic SettingZona de subducción

Volcanic ArcArco volcánico de los Andes del Norte

Volcanic Dossier

VN #352071

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

PaísEcuador

Coordenadas del cráter-1.469°, -78.817°

Summit Elevation6.3 km

SubregionArco volcánico de los Andes del Norte

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#352071)

Authoritative Monitoring Infrastructure

All 18 Networks & VAAC →

Seismic ObservatoryGSN / FDSN

Global Seismographic Network & Regional Centers

Official Portal

ICAO Aviation Ash Center

ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Network

International Civil Aviation Organization

VAAC Advisory Desk

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

Preguntas Frecuentes (FAQ)

Protocolos científicos, operativos y de emergencia verificados

The most recent eruption of Chimborazo recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 550.

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