Nevados de Chillán Volcano
Why in News?
Nevados de Chillán is in the news because the highly active volcanic complex erupted and sending massive plumes of ash, gases, and pyroclastic material up to 380 m (≈1,250 ft) above the crater, drifting southwards.
Key Information
- Geographical Location: It is a massive composite stratovolcanic complex situated in the Southern Volcanic Zone of the Chilean Andes, specifically within the Ñuble Region of south-central Chile.
- Three Overlapping Peaks: The complex consists of three main overlapping peaks that stretch along a north-northwest to south-southeast axis:
- Cerro Blanco (Volcán Nevado): The highest peak in the northwest, standing at 3,212 metres (10,538 feet).
- Volcán Viejo (Volcán Chillán): Located in the southeast, standing at 3,089 metres (10,135 feet). It was the primary active vent between the 17th and 19th centuries.
- Volcán Nuevo: Positioned directly between the two, it formed as a lava dome complex between 1906 and 1945 and eventually grew taller than Volcán Viejo.
- Tectonic Mechanism: The volcano sits on the volatile Pacific "Ring of Fire". Its eruptive activity is driven by subduction tectonics, where the westward movement of the South American plate overrides the Nazca plate.
- Historical Eruptions: Documented eruptions date back to the 17th century, though geological mapping shows active volcanism spanning back hundreds of thousands of years. A major eruptive cycle began in January 2016 from the Nicanor crater and has experienced intermittent phases of dome growth and explosion.
- Eruption Characteristics: Nevados de Chillán is primarily known for lava-dome growth, explosive ash plumes, block-and-ash pyroclastic flows, and lapilli emissions.
- Socio-Economic Risks: It is ranked as one of the highest-risk volcanoes in Chile. This high-risk status is compounded by rapid commercial development on its southwestern flanks, which host extensive skiing resorts, hotels, and vacation properties that are highly vulnerable to lahars (volcanic mudflows) caused by melting snow.
