Soche Volcano
Updated: Nov 29, 2025 17:45 GMT -
stratovolcano
Ecuador, 0.55°N / -77.58°W 
Summit height: 3955 m / 12,976 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Volcán el Soche is a small stratovolcano in northern Ecuador near the border with Colombia west of Río Chingual. A small village, La Bonita, is located on the southern side of the volcano.
The volcano has a summit caldera open towards the east. There are no historic eruptions, but a large explosive eruption has been radiocarbon dated at 7720 BC. This eruption produced a tephra layer over the NW of Columbia and formed 2 lava domes inside the caldera after the explosive phase of the eruption had ended
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Soche volcano eruptions: 6650 BC (?)
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 29, 01:47 am (GMT -5) | 1.3 3 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the SW | Provincia de Sucumbios, 49 km south of Tulcán, Provincia del Carchi, Ecuador | Info | |
Significant volcanic eruptions: Soche volcano
No historic eruptions are known from Soche volcano, but at least one eruption in 6650 BC can be inferred from geological evidence.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Soche volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Soche can be found on the news page of Soche volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5? | |||||
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
Soche Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Soche volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Soche occurred in 6650 BC.
+When was the largest eruption of Soche volcano?
The largest eruption known from the younger geological history of Soche volcano occurred in 6650 BC. It only has a VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) of , likely because it was a mainly effusive eruption generating lava flows but very little ash.
Latest satellite images
Soche 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 Soche volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Soche volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Soche volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Soche volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Soche volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Soche volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Soche volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Soche volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Soche volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Soche volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Soche volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Soche volcano (scale of few kilometers)
