Mentolat

Stratovolcano in Chile

Last Eruption: 1710

Key Facts

Elevation

1,660 m (5,446 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

-44.700°, -73.080°

Region

Southern Andean Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Volcán Mentolat is an ice-filled 6-km-wide caldera in the central part of Magdalena Island across the Puyuhuapi strait from Puerto Cisnes. An eruption about 7000 years ago produced a pumice and scoria layer that extends to the SE. A young-looking andesitic lava flow on the W side of the volcano may be its most recent product.

Historical reports by Serrano describe an eruption at the beginning of the 18th century that could refer to this lava flow.

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 Observed

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	316 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: 358054
•Evidence: Eruption Observed
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Volcán Mentolat is an ice-filled 6-km-wide caldera in the central part of Magdalena Island, across the Puyuhuapi strait from the town of Puerto Cisnes. A young-looking andesitic lava flow on the west side of the volcano may be its most recent product. Historical reports describe an eruption at the beginning of the 18th century that could refer to this lava flow.

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