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

La vetta più alta dell'Ecuador a 6.261 m è un imponente stratovulcano glaciale delle Ande. A causa del rigonfiamento equatoriale della Terra, la cima del Chimborazo è il punto della superficie terrestre più distante dal centro del pianeta.

Last Eruption

550

Historical eruption

Summit Elevation

6.3 km

Stratovulcano · Andesite / Andesite basaltica

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.

Ora	Magnitudo	Epicentro / Località	Distanza	Profondità
25d ago	M2.1	17 km a SE di Ambato (Ecuador)	33 km	12 km
28d ago	M3.0	17 km a NE di Ambato (Ecuador)	48 km	11 km

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Stratovulcano

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

Edifice TypeStratovulcano

Major RockAndesite / Andesite basaltica

Tectonic SettingZona di subduzione

Volcanic ArcArco vulcanico Northern Andean

Volcanic Dossier

VN #352071

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

PaeseEcuador

Coordinate del cratere-1.469°, -78.817°

Summit Elevation6.3 km

SubregionArco vulcanico Northern Andean

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 →

Domande frequenti (FAQ)

Protocolli scientifici, operativi e di emergenza verificati

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