Lascar Volcano
Updated: May 1, 2025 16:12 GMT -
stratovolcano
Northern Chile, -23.37°S / -67.73°W 
Summit height: 5592 m / 18,346 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 19 Mar 2025 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
Láscar volcano in northern Chile is the most active of the northern Chilean Andes. Lascar is an andesitic-to-dacitic stratovolcano with 3 overlapping summit craters. Large lava flows are visible on its NW flanks.
Lascar is flanked 5 km to the east by the older, but higher Volcán Aguas Calientes stratovolcano.
Lascar has had a number of small to moderate explosive eruptions in historic times, as well as a few larger eruptions that caused ashfall hundreds of kilometers away. The biggest eruption of Lascar in historical time was in 1993 and produced pyroclastic flows, which traveled 8.5 km NW of the summit, and ashfall in Buenos Aires.
[smaller] [larger]
Lascar volcano eruptions: 2015, 2006-07, 2005, 2002, 2000, 1994-95, 1994, 1993-94, 1993, 1991-92, 1990, 1990, 1987-89, 1986, 1984, 1974, 1972, 1969, 1959-68, 1954, 1951-52, 1940, 1933, 1902, 1898, 1883-85, 1875, 1858, 1854, 1853(?), 1848
Latest nearby earthquakes
Background
The older Volcán Aguas Calientes has a well-developed summit crater and a lava flow near its summit may be of Holocene age.Younger Láscar volcano consists of 2 major edifices; activity built a cone to the east and then shifted to the west, where a second cone was built.
The largest eruption of Lascar took place about 26,500 years ago, and following the eruption of the Tumbres scoria flow about 9000 years ago, activity shifted back to the eastern cone, where 3 overlapping craters were formed.
---
Source: Smithsonian / GVP Lascar volcano information
Lascar Volcano Photos
Lascar Volcano, Chile (Photo: Jiri VonDrak)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Lascar volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Lascar has had at least 32 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 30 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 5 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Lascar volcano.
Additionally, there are 5 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Lascar volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Lascar volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Lascar can be found on the news page of Lascar volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
| Summit craters Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Central active crater Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3? | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 1 | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Western crater of east summit cone Historical obs./docs. | 4 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Western crater of east summit cone Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
| Western crater of east summit cone Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
| Western crater of east summit cone Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 1 | |||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
| East summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 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
Eruptions of Lascar volcano
2006-07 activity
After the strong ash emissions between 18-23 April 2006, several small to moderate (probably) phreatic explosions occurred throughout the rest of 2006 and into 2007 at irregular intervals.
On 11 March 2007 an ash cloud from Láscar rose to 5.5-6.7 km altitude and drifted E. On 23 May, 2007, an ash plume from Láscar rose to an altitude of 9.1 km and drifted SSE. On 18 July 2007, an ash plume rose to altitudes of 7.6-9.1 km and drifted NE. After July, 2007, Lascar calmed down.
(Source: GVP monthly reports)
After the strong ash emissions between 18-23 April 2006, several small to moderate (probably) phreatic explosions occurred throughout the rest of 2006 and into 2007 at irregular intervals.
On 11 March 2007 an ash cloud from Láscar rose to 5.5-6.7 km altitude and drifted E. On 23 May, 2007, an ash plume from Láscar rose to an altitude of 9.1 km and drifted SSE. On 18 July 2007, an ash plume rose to altitudes of 7.6-9.1 km and drifted NE. After July, 2007, Lascar calmed down.
(Source: GVP monthly reports)
2006 April eruption
An eruption at Lascar volcano started on 18 April 2006 and lasted 5 days. The first of 4 explosions on the first day produced an ash plume that reached ca. 10 km above the volcano (ca. 16 km altitude) and was visible from the El Abra cooper mine 220 km NW of the volcano.
An eruption at Lascar volcano started on 18 April 2006 and lasted 5 days. The first of 4 explosions on the first day produced an ash plume that reached ca. 10 km above the volcano (ca. 16 km altitude) and was visible from the El Abra cooper mine 220 km NW of the volcano.
2005 eruption
During February to May 2005, a number of mostly smaller phreatic eruptions occurred at Lascar volcano.
A more powerful eruption occurred on 4 May, producing an ash column that reached a height of 11 km and caused fine ash fall in the city of Salta located 285 km SSE of the volcano.
During February to May 2005, a number of mostly smaller phreatic eruptions occurred at Lascar volcano.
A more powerful eruption occurred on 4 May, producing an ash column that reached a height of 11 km and caused fine ash fall in the city of Salta located 285 km SSE of the volcano.
1993 subplinian eruption
The largest eruption of Lascar volcano known in historical times was in 1993: The explosive eruption began late on 18 April with a series of powerful explosions and intensified on 19 April, when it produced a plinian ash column reaching 20-22 km height above the crater. Large pyroclastic flows traveled 7.5 km NW and light ashfall (<0.1 mm) was reported as far as Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1,500 km SE of the volcano.
The area affected by ash fall covered more than 850,000 sq km and stretched into north-central Argentina, southern Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.
The largest eruption of Lascar volcano known in historical times was in 1993: The explosive eruption began late on 18 April with a series of powerful explosions and intensified on 19 April, when it produced a plinian ash column reaching 20-22 km height above the crater. Large pyroclastic flows traveled 7.5 km NW and light ashfall (<0.1 mm) was reported as far as Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1,500 km SE of the volcano.
The area affected by ash fall covered more than 850,000 sq km and stretched into north-central Argentina, southern Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.
Lascar Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Lascar volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Lascar occurred during 2022 - 2023.
+How often does Lascar volcano erupt?
Since 1848, Lascar volcano has had at least 30 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 5.9 years.
Many eruptions of Lascar have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 52 out of 177 years until now. In other words, Lascar has been active at least one in 3.4 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Lascar is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+How active is Lascar volcano at present?
Lascar volcano is very active: Since 1900, it has had 43 eruptions, and been active during 43 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Lascar has been in eruption one in 2.9 years on average. The last eruption was from 2022 until 2023 and ended 2 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Lascar volcano?
The largest eruption of Lascar volcano in historic times occurred in 1993. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Lascar 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 Lascar volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Lascar volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Lascar volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Lascar volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Lascar volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Lascar volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Lascar volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Lascar volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Lascar volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Lascar volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Lascar volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Lascar volcano (scale of few kilometers)
