Tronador
Stratovolcano in Chile-Argentina
Key Facts
Elevation
3,478 m (11,411 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
-41.157°, -71.885°
Region
Southern Andean Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
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Overview
The Tronador volcanic group straddles the Chile-Argentina border east of scenic Lake Todos los Santos. Activity dates back to the early Pleistocene, and the most prominent part of the dominantly basaltic-to-andesitic complex is the prominent, glacier-covered Monte Tronador volcano, which formed in three stages during the mid-Pleistocene. The only possible Holocene activity took place SSE of Monte Tronador, where the Fonck cinder cone (also known as Cerro Volcanico) overlies rocks of the Steffen volcano group.
The well-preserved cone was the source of a single andesitic lava flow that postdates the last glacial cycle dating back to 70,000-14,000 years ago and has variously been inferred to be of latest Pleistocene or Holocene age.
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 | Unknown | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in South America Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 358011
- •Evidence: Evidence Uncertain
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
The western side of glacier-covered Monte Tronador volcano overlies rugged granitic peaks of the Northern Patagonian Batholith in the foreground. Activity at the Tronador volcanic group, which straddles the Chile-Argentina border east of scenic Lake Todos los Santos, dates back to the early Pleistocene and ended during the mid-Pleistocene. The only possible Holocene activity in the volcano group took place SSE of Monte Tronador, forming the post-glacial Fonck cinder cone and lava flow.
Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).
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.