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

Surgissant de la forêt tropicale en bordure de l'Amazonie, le Sangay est en éruption presque sans interruption depuis au moins 1628, ce qui en fait l'un des volcans les plus constamment actifs de la planète. Il est si isolé qu'on l'a longtemps surveillé surtout par satellite, et pourtant ses panaches de cendres de 2020 ont saupoudré des villes de plusieurs provinces de l'Équateur.

Last Eruption

2026

Erupted since 2000

Summit Elevation

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

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Stratovolcan

Sangay 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 #352090

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

PaysÉquateur

Coordonnées du cratère-2.005°, -78.341°

Summit Elevation5.3 km

SubregionArc volcanique des Andes du Nord

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 →

Questions fréquentes (FAQ)

Protocoles scientifiques, opérationnels et d’urgence vérifiés

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