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

Point culminant de l'Équateur à 6 261 m, le Chimborazo est un immense stratovolcan glaciaire des Andes. En raison du renflement équatorial de la Terre, son sommet est le point de la surface terrestre le plus éloigné du centre du globe.

Last Eruption

550

Historical eruption

Summit Elevation

6.3 km

Stratovolcan · Andésite / Andésite basaltique

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.

Heure	Magnitude	Épicentre / lieu	Distance	Profondeur
25d ago	M2.1	17 km au sud-est d'Ambato (Équateur)	33 km	12 km
28d ago	M3.0	17 km au nord-est d'Ambato (Équateur)	48 km	11 km

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Stratovolcan

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

Edifice TypeStratovolcan

Major RockAndésite / Andésite basaltique

Tectonic SettingZone de subduction

Volcanic ArcArc volcanique des Andes du Nord

Volcanic Dossier

VN #352071

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

PaysÉquateur

Coordonnées du cratère-1.469°, -78.817°

Summit Elevation6.3 km

SubregionArc volcanique des Andes du Nord

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 →

Questions fréquentes (FAQ)

Protocoles scientifiques, opérationnels et d’urgence vérifiés

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