Chacana Volcano
Updated: Nov 1, 2025 16:44 GMT -
stratovolcano
Ecuador, -0.38°S / -78.25°W 
Summit height: 4643 m / 15,233 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Chacana is an active stratovolcano 30 km SE of Quito, Ecuador. The volcano is one of the largest rhyolitic centers of the northern Andes and contains a large 32 km long and 24 km wide eroded caldera.
Historic activity consisted of lava flows in the 18th century.
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Chacana volcano eruptions: 1773, 1760
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
from Smithsonian / GVP volcano information:Chacana was constructed during three cycles of andesitic-to-rhyolitic volcanism, with major eruptions about 240,000, 180,00, and 160,000 years ago. Dacitic lava flows were erupted from caldera-floor fissures between about 30,000 and 21,000 years ago. Numerous lava domes were constructed within the caldera, which has been the source of frequent explosive eruptions throughout the Holocene as well as historical lava flows during the 18th century. The massive Antisana stratovolcano was constructed immediately to the SE.
Significant volcanic eruptions: Chacana volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Chacana has had at least 5 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 2 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Chacana volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Chacana can be found on the news page of Chacana volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South part of caldera Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| SW flank Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| ? | |||||
| ? | |||||
| ? | |||||
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
Chacana Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Chacana volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Chacana occurred in 1773.
+How often does Chacana volcano erupt?
Since 1760, Chacana volcano has had at least 2 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 133 years.
Latest satellite images
Chacana 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 Chacana volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Chacana volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Chacana volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Chacana volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Chacana volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Chacana volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Chacana volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Chacana volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Chacana volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Chacana volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Chacana volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chacana volcano (scale of few kilometers)
