Corcovado | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 2,300 m (7,500 ft) |
Coordinates | 43°11′S 72°48′W / 43.183°S 72.800°W |
Geography | |
Location | Chile |
Parent range | Andes |
Geology | |
Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
Last eruption | 4920 BCE ± 100 |
Corcovado Volcano (Spanish pronunciation: [koɾkoˈβaðo]) is a stratovolcano located about 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of the mouth of the Yelcho River, in the Palena Province, Los Lagos Region, Chile. The glacially eroded volcano is flanked by Holocene cinder cones. The volcano's base has likely prehistoric lava flows that are densely vegetated. The most distinctive feature of this volcano is its stepped top, similar to that of Puntiagudo Volcano. At its foot lies a series of lakes. Corcovado dominates the landscape of the Gulf of Corcovado area and is visible from Chiloé Island, weather permitting.
The volcano and the adjacent area form part of Corcovado National Park. The town of Chaitén is the main gateway to this protected area. Much of the town was heavily damaged following an explosive eruption of Chaitén Volcano and the resultant lahars in 2008, but has since been rebuilt.