Tolhuaca
Stratovolcano in Chile
Key Facts
Elevation
2,739 m (8,986 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
-38.310°, -71.645°
Region
Southern Andean Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
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Overview
Tolhuaca (or Tolguaca) is a late-Pleistocene to Holocene stratovolcano located immediately NW of Lonquimay volcano. A NW-SE zone of aligned summit craters is youngest to the NW. Another group of vents cutting the south and east flanks is oriented SW-NE, parallel to the zone of flank vents on Lonquimay, and is of post-glacial age (Moreno and Gardeweg 1989).
Reports of eruptions in 1876 and on 7 January 1933 are not confirmed; the latter date probably refers to an eruption of Lonquimay or Llaima (Petit-Breuilh 1994, pers. comm. ).
Polanco et al. (2000) stated that explosive activity consisted of three VEI 3-4 eruptions between 8050 and 6590 BP. The Pemehue volcanic trend on the NW flank was noted by Naranjo (pers.
comm. 2010) in Melosh et al. (2012) as having post-glacial lava flows dated at less than 6,000 years old.
Only fumarolic activity has occurred from this basaltic-andesitic volcano during historical time. Fumaroles and hot springs are common across the NW flank where there is an active geothermal reservoir (Melosh et al. , 2012).
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
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 | 6026 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in South America Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 357093
- •Evidence: Evidence Credible
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Tolguaca volcano, the snow-capped peak at the left, is a late-Pleistocene to Holocene stratovolcano located immediately NW of Lonquimay volcano. The cinder cone at the right in this view from the SE is the Navidad cone on the NE flank of Lonquimay, which formed during an eruption in 1989. The 2806-m-high Tolguaca is older than its neighbor Lonquimay. It is dissected by glaciers and only fumarolic activity has occurred during historical time. Flank vents are oriented NW-SE, in line with Lonquimay, and SW-NE-trending vents occur on the south flank.
Photo by Norm Banks, 1990 (U.S. Geological Survey).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.