Acamarachi

Stratovolcano in Chile

Key Facts

Elevation

6,023 m (19,760 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

-23.292°, -67.618°

Region

Central Andean Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Dacite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Acamarachi, a steep-sided andesitic-dacitic volcano, forms the highest peak in this part of the northern Andes. Also known as Cerro Pili, it is at the SSE end of a small volcanic complex that extends from the neighboring volcano Colachi to the NNW. A large lava dome is located on its N flank.

A poorly preserved summit crater and the absence of youthful flank lava flows suggest that the volcano was largely constructed in pre-Holocene times, although the summit lava flows draping the upper cone were considered to be of Holocene age (González-Ferrán, 1995).

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Pyroclastic flows
Lava flows
Volcanic bombs and ballistics
Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate

Infrastructure RiskModerate

Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary

Dacite

Silica Content

Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Evidence Credible

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential
Recent Activity	Unknown	Historical	Historically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Normal

No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in South America Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The South America Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

•Smithsonian ID: 355096
•Evidence: Evidence Credible
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Acamarachi, an impressively steep-sided andesitic-dacitic volcano with slopes that reach about 45 degrees, towers above Laguna Aguas Calientes. The 6046-m-high Acamarachi is the highest peak in this part of the northern Andes and lies at the SSE end of a small volcanic complex that extends from the neighboring volcano Colachi. A poorly preserved summit crater and the absence of youthful flank lava flows suggest that Acamarachi was largely constructed in pre-Holocene times, although the summit lava flows may be younger.

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).