Chachimbiro

Stratovolcano in Ecuador

Last Eruption: -3740

Key Facts

Elevation

4,106 m (13,471 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

0.468°, -78.287°

Region

Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Dacite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

The Chachimbiro volcanic complex lies about 25 km NW of the city of Ibarra. Late Pleistocene collapse of the andesitic Huanguillaro stratovolcano produced a 6. 8 km3 debris-avalanche deposit and a 4-km-wide avalanche caldera open to the east that has largely been filled by lava domes, including the rhyodacitic Hugá dome.

The avalanche deposit is overlain by three large ignimbrites and pyroclastic-flow deposits related to dome growth. The late Pleistocene-to-Holocene, NNE-trending, dacitic Chachimbiro-Pucará line of lava domes includes the Pitzantzi dome, which erupted about 5,700 years ago, producing an ash deposit that extends to the NW. Hot springs and thermal areas are present in the complex.

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

Eruption Dated

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	5766 years ago	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: 352002
•Evidence: Eruption Dated
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Part of the Chachimbiro volcanic complex, located about 25 km NW of the city of Ibarra, is seen from the south. The late Pleistocene-to-Holocene, NNE-trending dacitic Chachimbiro-Pucará line of lava domes includes the Pitzantzi lava dome, which erupted about 5700 years ago, producing an ash deposit that extends to the NW. Hot springs and thermal areas are present at the Chachimbiro complex. Quarries in the foreground are cut into deposits from the caldera-forming eruption of Cuicocha volcano.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 2006 (Smithsonian Institution).