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Llaima stratovolcano is one of Chile's largest and most active volcanoes. It is located 90 km S of Callaqui in the Araucanía Region of southern-central Chile, in the Conguillio National Park about 80 km from the city of Temuco.
It is one of the volcanoes with the most known historic eruptions in South America. Its eruptions are brief episodes with spectacular lava fountains, strombolian activity and lava flows. Eruptions often occur along NNE trending fissures.
stratovolcano 3125 m / 10,253 ft Central Chile and Argentina, South America, -38.69°S / -71.73°W Current status: dormant (1 out of 5) Llaima webcams / live data Llaima volcano books Llaima volcano eruptions: Jan 2008 - June 2009, 2007 (May-Aug), 2003, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1990, 1984, 1979, 1971-72, 1964, 1955-57, 1949, 1946, 1945, 1944, 1942, 1941, 1938, 1937, 1932-33, 1932, 1930, 1929, 1927, 1922, 1917, 1914, 1912, 1907-08, 1903, 1895-96, 1893-94, 1892, 1889, 1887, 1875-76, 1874 (?), 1872, 1869, 1866, 1864, 1862, 1852-53, 1822, 1759, 1751-52, 1640 Typical eruption style: explosive and effusive Last earthquakes nearby Latest satellite images
VAAC Buenos Aires received a pilot report of a light ash plume between 10,000 and 25,000 ft altitude from the volcano this afternoon. However, this seems to be a false eruption report. ...more
There are no other indications of an eruption and no ash could be seen on webcam and satellite imagery. Local press (who would pick up quickly on activity at one of Chile's most prominent volcanoes) nor SERNAGEOMIN have reported any unusual new activity. It is possible that wind has picked up dust (ash) from the volcano or that a weather cloud was mistaken for an ash plume. [less]
The Chilean geological service SERNAGEOMIN raised the alert level of Llaima volcano from 3 to 4 on 25 April because of ‘the occurrence of earthquakes with high energy levels and tremor signals with durations of up to 20 minutes’, a volcanologist reported to a llocal newspaper. ...more
A new eruption started at Llaima volcano on 4 April 09. Lava fountains and stormbolian activity from the summit vents fed lava flows travelling down the slope of the volcano.
It was reported that clouds had prevented visual observations of Llaima during 29 August-2 September. On 3 September, fumarolic plumes that originated from three points on the pyroclastic cones in the main crater drifted N. An explosion produced an ash plume that also drifted N; ash deposits on the N flank suggested previous emissions. On 4 September gas plumes from the main crater drifted W. Gas-and-steam plumes were emitted during 5-7 September. The Volcanic Alert Level remained at Yellow
During 8-11 August, SERNAGEOMIN reported that fumarolic activity from the snow-free pyroclastic cones in Llaima's main crater was visible during periods of clear weather; resultant plumes drifted E. A 2-km long strip on the NE flank was black in color (snow-free) due to elevated temperatures. On 13 August, gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.3 km (10,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. Later that day, incandescence from the crater accompanied the gas-and-ash emissions.
SERNAGEOMIN reported that after increased seismicity at Llaima on 14 July, an ash plume rose to an altitude of 5.6 km (18,400 ft) a.s.l. Less than two hours later, very intense orange and red incandescence was seen through breaks in the cloud cover near the summit and at the base of the W flank. At 1915 a vigorous Strombolian eruption ejected incandescent pyroclastic material from the N vent in the main crater to heights of 500 m above the summit. ...more
Seismicity and the intensity of the explosions decreased later that day. On 15 July, diffuse ash emissions rose to an altitude of 3.4 km (11,200 ft) a.s.l. Ash and tephra covered areas of the SSE flank. Seismic activity decreased during 16-18 July. [less]
Llaima volcano is active again. On 1 July, a lava flow was seen on the W flank prompting authorities to evacuate about 20-30 people and warn others of possible further evacuations. The lava flow descended the W flank to 800-1000 m from the crater.
Explosions were reported in the main crater of Llaima during 8-13 February. Because of the melt water from the lava and glacier interaction the Calbuco River was about 1 m higher than the normal level on 9 February. There were lava flows on the W flank that were 2.5 km long and made channels in the ice. ...more
Sulfur dioxide and steam plumes from lava interacting with ice during rose to altitudes of 4.1-6.1 km. [less]
Llaima continues to be active. On 6 February, intense Strombolian activity that propelled material 500 m above the summit crater was observed. Ash-and-gas plumes from the activity rose to altitudes of 5.1-5.6 km (16,700-18,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE more than 30 km. Multiple lava flows traveled 0.7-1.5 km W and N and generated steam plumes due to their interaction with a glacier. Activity declined later that day. ...more
During 7-8 February, explosions from two different areas in the main crater produced brown and gray ash-and-gas plumes that rose to altitudes of 4.1-6.2 km (13,500-20,300 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 20 km NW. Incandescent blocks from lava-flow fronts rolled down the flank. [less]
The spectacular lava fountaining eruption of Llaima volcano has calmed down and the level of alarm was reduced. ...more
The eruption has not caused fatalities, but led to localized massive property damage caused by mud flows. Massive snow-melt during the initial stages of the eruption led to surges of mud flows (lahars) mostly travelling down the valley of Captrén river, which overtopped its banks in many places. [less]
Llaima volcano started to erupt again with strong lava fountains from its summit crater on Tuesday 1st of January 2008. Press reports the evacuation of 300 inhabitants of nearby villages and 150 tourists.
Blue flames of burning sulfur: Ijen volcano in East Java has one of the most impressive sulfur deposits on earth. They are so hot that the sulfur often ignites - a mysterious display at night caught on camera.
Recent volcano satellite images: Browse quickly through the latest satellite imagery from volcanoes all over the world in order to spot ash clouds and hot spots.
