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Sotara

Stratovolcano in Colombia

Key Facts

Elevation

4,400 m (14,436 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

2.108°, -76.592°

Region

Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Volcán Sotará, also known as Cerro Azafatudo, is an andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano about 25 km SSE of Popayán city in southern Colombia, SW of Puracé volcano. Three calderas, 4. 5, 2.

5, and 1 km in diameter, give the summit an irregular profile. No historical eruptions are known, though there is current fumarolic and hot spring activity.

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 Credible

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent ActivityUnknownHistoricalHistorically 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: 351061
  • Evidence: Evidence Credible
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Sotará in Colombia is shown in the center of this February 2020 Planet Labs satellite image monthly mosaic (N is at the top; this image is approximately 19 km across). The edifice formed within a 4.5-km-diameter caldera and has a collapse scarp open towards the SW, as well as several lava domes in the summit area. Thick lava flows and domes have been emplaced within the scarp.

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2020 (https://www.planet.com/).

Basic Information

This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.