Aracar Volcano
Updated: Nov 29, 2025 17:42 GMT -
stratovolcano
Northern Chile, Bolivia and Argentina (South America), -24.25°S / -67.77°W 
Summit height: 6082 m / 19,954 feet
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Aracar volcano is a probably still active stratovolcano in NW Argentina close to the border with Chile. The volcano has a well-preserved 1.5 km wide summit crater with a small crater lake and steep eroded flanks. It is not known whether there has been activity in the Holocene (past 12,000 years).
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Aracar volcano eruptions: 1993 (?)
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 29, 01:00 pm (GMT -3) | 3.1 241 km | 22 km (14 mi) to the E | Departamento de Los Andes, 227 km west of Salta, Departamento Capital, Salta Province, Argentina I FELT IT | Info | |
| Friday, November 28, 2025 GMT (2 quakes) | |||||
| Nov 28, 06:35 pm (Universal Time) | 3.0 220 km | 6.5 km (4 mi) to the E | Salta, Argentina I FELT IT | Info | |
| Nov 27, 10:02 pm (GMT -3) | 3.3 246 km | 12 km (7.5 mi) to the W |  71 km Al S De Socaire I FELT IT | Info | |
| Thursday, November 27, 2025 GMT (3 quakes) | |||||
| Nov 27, 05:30 pm (Universal Time) | 3.7 253 km | 26 km (16 mi) to the N | 49 km Al S De Socaire I FELT IT | Info | |
| Nov 27, 03:36 am (GMT -3) | 3.0 225 km | 28 km (17 mi) to the E | Salta, Argentina I FELT IT | Info | |
| Nov 26, 10:37 pm (GMT -3) | 3.4 231 km | 6.1 km (3.8 mi) to the W | Salta, Argentina I FELT IT | Info | |
| Wednesday, November 26, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Nov 26, 03:03 pm (GMT -3) | 3.3 224 km | 17 km (10.7 mi) to the SE | Salta, Argentina I FELT IT - 1 report | Info | |
| Friday, November 21, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Nov 21, 06:10 am (GMT -3) | 3.5 165 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the SW | 88 km Al S De Socaire | Info | |
| Thursday, November 20, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Nov 20, 11:51 am (Universal Time) | 3.5 248 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the W | 77 km Al S De Socaire | Info | |
Background
The volcano was constructed during 3 eruptive cycles dating back to the Pliocene. The andesitic stratovolcano overlies dacitic lava domes. Lava flows are found at the base of the volcano below 4500 m elevation are relatively well preserved, but there are no lava flows on the upper flanks, which are often an indication of youthful activity. (Source: GVP volcano information)Possible eruption in 1993
There were reports about ash columns from the summit on 28 March 1993, but it is not known whether these were rockfall dust or eruption plumes.
Significant volcanic eruptions: Aracar volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Aracar has had only one confirmed historic eruption ###WHEN1###|only one confirmed historic eruption ###WHEN1### and one ###WHEN2### inferred from geological evidence|only one confirmed historic eruption ###WHEN1###, but at least ###NUM_INFERRED### eruptions can be inferred from geological evidence|at least ###NUM_CONFIRMED### confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations|at least ###NUM_CONFIRMED### confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which ###NUM_HISTORIC### are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
No historic eruptions are known from Aracar volcano, but at least one eruption ###WHEN2### can be inferred from geological evidence|evidence from at least ###NUM_CONFIRMED### eruptions during the past 10,000 years can be found in the geological record.
There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1993 from Aracar volcano.
No historic eruptions are known from Aracar volcano, but at least one eruption ###WHEN2### can be inferred from geological evidence|evidence from at least ###NUM_CONFIRMED### eruptions during the past 10,000 years can be found in the geological record.
There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1993 from Aracar volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Aracar volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Aracar can be found on the news page of Aracar volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2? | |||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Latest satellite images
Aracar Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Aracar volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Aracar volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Aracar volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Aracar volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Aracar volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Aracar volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Aracar volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Aracar volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Aracar volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Aracar volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Aracar volcano (scale of few kilometers)
