Hornopiren

Stratovolcano in Chile

Last Eruption: 340

Key Facts

Elevation

1,572 m (5,157 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

-41.874°, -72.431°

Region

Southern Andean Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Volcán Hornopirén, located SSW of Yate volcano, is a morphologically youthful basaltic andesite stratovolcano that is mostly forested. The volcano, whose name means "snow oven," lies along a graben defined by the major regional Liquiñe-Ofqui fault zone, N of the Hornopirén strait and immediately S of Lago Cabrera. Prominent lava flows descend beyond the SW base of the volcano and overlie the graben floor.

The volcano was said to be in eruption in 1835, although no details are known.

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

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	1686 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: 358023
•Evidence: Eruption Dated
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Symmetrical forested Volcán Hornopirén is seen from the SW from a ferry approaching the town of the same name at the head of a fjord at the NE end of the Gulf of Ancud. The 1572-m-high volcano, whose name means "snow oven," lies along a graben defined by the major regional Liquiñe-Ofqui fault zone. The volcano was said to be in eruption in 1835, although no details are known. Glacier-capped Yate volcano appears in the background to the left of Hornopirén.

Photo by Jon Major, 2011 (USGS, Cascades Volcano Observatory).