Láscar volcano, a stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains, is one of the most active volcanoes in northern Chile. It has six summit craters and frequently produces small-to-moderate explosive eruptions, with occasional larger ones that send ash columns high into the atmosphere. The volcano’s activity stems from the subduction of tectonic plates, which creates the magma that feeds its eruptions. Láscar is constantly releasing volcanic gases and has intermittent explosive episodes, posing a hazard to nearby communities and air travel.
| Location: | Andes, Chile |
| Coordinates: | -23.365501, -67.734302 |
| Volcano Type: | Stratovolcano |
Láscar’s Location
Láscar’s Latest Status
2024: Not Active.
Láscar’s Eruptive History
| Year | Eruption Activity |
|---|---|
| 1848 | First recorded eruption in historical times. Likely a moderate Vulcanian explosion, though specific details are limited. |
| 1854 | Significant explosive eruption, possibly Vulcanian in style, with ashfall reported in surrounding areas, impacting local settlements. |
| 1900 | Moderate Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and possible pyroclastic flows. |
| 1933 | Explosive eruption, likely Vulcanian, with ashfall reaching over 200 km from the volcano, affecting wider regions and potentially disrupting transportation. |
| 1951 | Small Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and limited impact on surrounding areas. |
| 1960 | Moderate Vulcanian eruption with significant ashfall and pyroclastic flows, potentially causing damage to infrastructure and disrupting local communities. |
| 1963 | Small Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and limited impact. |
| 1964 | Moderate Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and possible pyroclastic flows, impacting local areas. |
| 1969 | Small Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and limited impact. |
| 1972 | Moderate Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and possible pyroclastic flows, affecting local areas. |
| 1984 | Small Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions, marking the start of a period of increased activity at Láscar. |
| 1986 | Significant Vulcanian eruption with ashfall reaching Argentina, demonstrating the potential for widespread impact from Láscar’s eruptions. |
| 1990 | Moderate Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and possible pyroclastic flows, affecting local areas. |
| 1993 | Major Plinian eruption: Láscar’s largest historical eruption, with a Plinian column reaching 23 km in height. Significant ashfall occurred over a wide area, causing disruption to air travel across South America and impacting local communities. Pyroclastic flows and lahars likely occurred. |
| 1994 | Moderate Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and possible pyroclastic flows, following the major 1993 eruption. |
| 1995 | Small Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and limited impact. |
| 2000 | Moderate Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and possible pyroclastic flows, affecting local areas. |
| 2005 | Small Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and limited impact. |
| 2006 | Moderate Vulcanian eruption with ashfall reaching over 100 km from the volcano, demonstrating the continued potential for widespread ashfall. |
| 2013 | Small Vulcanian eruption with ash emissions and limited impact. |
| 2015-2017 | Period of increased activity with persistent gas emissions, occasional ash venting, and small explosions, indicating unrest within the volcano. |
| 2022 | Moderate Vulcanian eruption with an ash plume reaching 6 km in height. Pyroclastic flows were generated, posing a significant hazard to the surrounding area. |
| 2023 | Ongoing activity with gas-and-steam emissions and occasional ash venting, suggesting continued unrest and the potential for future eruptions. |
Láscar Monitoring
For monitoring of this volcano, please refer to SERNAGEOMIN.
Láscar Images
