El Misti

The Guardian Volcano of Arequipa

Elevation

5,793 m

Last Eruption

1985

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

Peru

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Pyroclastic flows
Lava flows
Volcanic bombs and ballistics
Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskLow

Infrastructure RiskHigh

Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary

Unknown

Silica Content

Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown

Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Unknown

Evidence

Unknown

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	41 years ago	Recent	Recently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Watch

Dormant but monitored. Capable of renewed activity.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP

Official volcano database

Related Volcanoes

All Peru Volcanoes

Explore by country

Stratovolcano Volcanoes

By volcano type

Arequipa Region, Central Andes

Regional volcanoes

Other Volcanoes in Peru

Sabancaya
Stratovolcano(es)
Ubinas
Stratovolcano

Interesting Facts

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Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city with 1.1 million people, lies only 17 km from El Misti's summit — and northern suburbs are as close as 9 km from the crater.

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A pyroclastic flow approximately 2,000 years ago traveled 12 km from the summit — a distance that would reach Arequipa's northern districts if repeated today.

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Lahars generated during an eruption could reach central Arequipa within 15–20 minutes, flowing down the same quebradas (ravines) that cross the city.

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At 5,793 m (19,101 ft), El Misti is one of the highest active volcanoes in Peru and among the tallest in the world that directly threatens a major city.

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Arequipa is known as the 'White City' because its historic buildings are constructed from sillar — white volcanic tuff quarried from deposits associated with the regional volcanic system.

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The Inca venerated El Misti as a sacred mountain (apu) and deposited ritual offerings on the summit to appease the volcano's spirits.

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Strong prevailing winds have sculpted a parabolic dune field of volcanic ash extending up to 20 km downwind from the summit.

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El Misti's summit hosts nested craters — an outer crater 830 m wide containing a younger scoria cone and active fumaroles.

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The volcano is flanked by Chachani (6,057 m) and Pichu Pichu (5,664 m), forming a dramatic triple-volcano skyline above Arequipa.

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Despite the extreme risk to 1.1 million people, Arequipa currently lacks a comprehensive, fully tested volcanic evacuation plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is El Misti an active volcano?

Yes, El Misti is classified as an active volcano. It last erupted in July 1985 with a minor VEI 1 event, and active fumaroles at the summit indicate ongoing heat from a magmatic source at depth. The volcano has 22 recorded eruptions spanning approximately 9,000 years, including a VEI 4 event around 80 BCE. The current dormancy period is not unusually long by the volcano's historical standards. Peru's IGP and INGEMMET monitor the volcano, though experts have called for enhanced monitoring given the extreme risk to Arequipa.

Could El Misti erupt and destroy Arequipa?

A major eruption of El Misti would pose catastrophic risk to Arequipa, though outright destruction of the entire city is unlikely for eruptions within the historical range. The most immediate danger is from lahars — volcanic mudflows that could travel down the quebradas into the city center within 15–20 minutes. A VEI 3–4 eruption could generate pyroclastic flows reaching the northern suburbs, as demonstrated by a 2,000-year-old deposit extending 12 km from the summit. Heavy ashfall would paralyze the city. The scenario is comparable to the risk Vesuvius poses to Naples, though El Misti sits further from the city center.

Can you climb El Misti?

Yes, El Misti is one of Peru's most popular mountaineering objectives. The standard route from the south typically takes two days with an overnight camp at around 4,500 m. The climb reaches 5,793 m and requires proper acclimatization, warm gear, and good fitness, but usually no technical equipment. Guided tours are widely available from Arequipa. Climbers should be aware that the summit has active fumarolic emissions and that altitude effects are significant above 5,000 m. The best season is May through November (dry season).

How far is El Misti from Arequipa?

El Misti's summit crater is approximately 17 km (10.5 miles) northeast of Arequipa's city center. However, the volcano's lower flanks extend much closer — the northernmost suburbs of the city are only about 9 km from the crater. This proximity makes Arequipa one of the most volcanically exposed major cities in the world. For comparison, Naples is about 9 km from Vesuvius's summit, and Yogyakarta is about 30 km from Merapi.

What is sillar and how is it connected to El Misti?

Sillar is a white volcanic tuff (ignimbrite) — a rock formed from consolidated volcanic ash and pumice deposits from ancient explosive eruptions in the Arequipa volcanic region. It is the signature building material of Arequipa's UNESCO-designated historic center, giving the city its nickname 'La Ciudad Blanca' (The White City). While sillar deposits are associated with the broader volcanic system rather than specifically with El Misti's recent eruptions, they are a direct product of the same Central Andean volcanism that created El Misti and its neighboring peaks.

When did El Misti last erupt?

El Misti's most recent confirmed eruption occurred in July 1985, rated VEI 1. This was a minor event involving increased fumarolic emissions and possible phreatic activity. Before that, confirmed eruptions occurred in 1787 (VEI 1) and 1784 (VEI 2). Several eruptions reported in the 19th century are classified as uncertain and may represent episodes of enhanced fumarolic activity. The most significant eruption was a VEI 4 event around 80 BCE, approximately 2,100 years ago.