Chiliques

Stratovolcano in Chile

Key Facts

Elevation

5,778 m (18,957 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

-23.580°, -67.700°

Region

Central Andean Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Volcán Chiliques is a structurally simple stratovolcano located immediately south of Laguna Lejía. The summit contains a 500-m-wide crater. Several youthful lava flows, some of which are considered to be of possible Holocene age (de Silva, 2007 pers.

comm. ), descend its flanks. The largest of these extends 5 km NW.

Older lava flows reach up to 10 km from the summit on the N flank. This volcano had previously been considered to be dormant; however, in 2002 a NASA nighttime thermal infrared satellite image from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) showed low-level hot spots in the summit crater and upper flanks.

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

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Silica Content

Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

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

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Evidence Uncertain

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: 355098
•Evidence: Evidence Uncertain
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Snow-capped Volcán Chiliques is a conical stratovolcano located NNE of Laguna Miscanti (foreground). The 5778-m-high summit of the volcano contains a 500-m-wide crater. Several youthful lava flows, some of which are considered to be of Holocene age descend its flanks. Chiliques had previously been considered to be dormant; however, in 2002 a NASA nighttime thermal infrared satellite image showed low-level hot spots in the summit crater and upper flanks.

Photo by Carlos Felipe Ramírez (courtesy of Oscar González-Ferrán, University of Chile).