What kind of volcano is Sabancaya?

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

How is seismicity near Sabancaya 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.

Ash column rising from Sabancaya volcano in the Peruvian Andes

Photo:Norm Banksvia Smithsonian GVP

Volcano Dossier•GVP #354006

15.79°S, 71.86°W

Erupted since 2000

Perú→

Volcano Sabancaya

Su nombre quechua significa «lengua de fuego», y desde noviembre de 2016 este volcán andino cercano a Arequipa ha entrado en erupción casi a diario, enviando ceniza sobre el valle del Colca. La ceniza de una erupción anterior, en los años noventa, oscureció y derritió el hielo del vecino Ampato y dejó al descubierto en 1995 la momia inca de 500 años conocida como Juanita.

Last Eruption

2026

Erupted since 2000

Summit Elevation

6.0 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
21d hace	M4.3	SOUTHERN PERU (GFZ)	44 km	164.6 km
27d hace	M3.5	SOUTHERN PERU (LIM)	28 km	14 km
31d hace	M3.5	SOUTHERN PERU (LIM)	15 km	11 km
37d hace	M3.3	SOUTHERN PERU (LIM)	1.9 km	9 km
39d hace	M3.5	SOUTHERN PERU (LIM)	15 km	13 km

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Estratovolcán

Sabancaya is an active Stratovolcano(es) 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 Centrales

Volcanic Dossier

VN #354006

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

PaísPerú

Coordenadas del cráter-15.787°, -71.857°

Summit Elevation6.0 km

SubregionArco volcánico de los Andes Centrales

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#354006)

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 →

Perfil sísmico regional

Perú

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

Earthquakes in Perú →

Preguntas Frecuentes (FAQ)

Protocolos científicos, operativos y de emergencia verificados

The most recent eruption of Sabancaya recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 2026.

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