What kind of volcano is Sangay?

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

How is seismicity near Sangay 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 plume rising from Sangay volcano above the Ecuadorian Amazon

Photo:Minard Hallvia Smithsonian GVP

Volcano Dossier•GVP #352090

2.00°S, 78.34°W

Erupted since 2000

Volcano Sangay

Alzándose desde la selva en el borde de la Amazonía, el Sangay ha estado en erupción casi sin pausa desde al menos 1628, lo que lo convierte en uno de los volcanes más persistentemente activos del planeta. Es tan remoto que durante mucho tiempo se vigiló sobre todo por satélite, pero sus columnas de ceniza de 2020 cubrieron poblaciones de varias provincias de Ecuador.

Last Eruption

2026

Erupted since 2000

Summit Elevation

5.3 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
23d hace	M4.1	27 km WSW of Palora, Ecuador	30 km	164.3 km
62d hace	M3.2	ECUADOR (QUI)	39 km	162 km

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Estratovolcán

Sangay 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 #352090

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

PaísEcuador

Coordenadas del cráter-2.005°, -78.341°

Summit Elevation5.3 km

SubregionArco volcánico de los Andes del Norte

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#352090)

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 Sangay recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 2026.

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