Sabancaya

Sabancaya
Aerial view of Sabancaya, the summit in the left background is Ampato
Highest point
Elevation[1]
Prominence~500 m (1,640 ft)
Coordinates15°47′13″S 71°51′25″W / 15.787°S 71.857°W / -15.787; -71.857[1][2]
Geography
Sabancaya is located in Peru
Sabancaya
Sabancaya
Peru
LocationSouthern Peru
Parent rangeAndes
Geology
Mountain typeStratovolcano
Volcanic arc/beltCentral Volcanic Zone
Last eruption30 October – 5 November 2023

Sabancaya is an active 5,976-metre-high (19,606 ft) stratovolcano in the Andes of southern Peru, about 70 kilometres (43 mi) northwest of Arequipa. It is considered part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes, one of the three distinct volcanic belts of the Andes. The Central Volcanic Zone includes a number of volcanoes, some of which like Huaynaputina have had large eruptions and others such as Sabancaya and Ubinas have been active in historical time. Sabancaya forms a volcanic complex together with Hualca Hualca to the north and Ampato to the south and has erupted andesite and dacite. It is covered by a small ice cap which leads to a risk of lahars during eruptions.

Sabancaya has generated numerous long lava flows especially during the early Holocene, while activity in the later Holocene has been more explosive. Historical reports indicate eruptions during the 18th century. The volcano returned to activity in 1986, culminating in a large eruption in 1990. Since then it has been continuously active with the emission of ash and gas.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference GVP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Gerbe & Thouret 2004, p. 541.