Sabancaya Volcano

Updated: May 1, 2025 04:23 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

Peru, -15.78°S / -71.85°W

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Summit height: 5967 m / 19,577 ft

Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)

Last update: 25 Apr 2025 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)

Sabancaya volcano (its name meaning "tongue of fire" in Quechua Indian language) is located in the southern Peruvian Andes and one of Peru's most active volcanoes.
The stratovolcano is covered with several glaciers and located in the saddle between the older stratovolcanoes Ampato (6288 m) and Hualca Hualca (6025 m) and the only one of the group that has erupted in historic times.
Sabancaya belongs to one of South America's volcanoes with the oldest recorded history of eruptions.
Historic records of eruptions from Sabancaya date back to 1750, but its name already appears in written accounts from 1595 AD, suggesting that it had been active around or before that date as well.

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Sabancaya webcams / live data | News/Updates | Earthquakes

Typical eruption style: explosive and effusive
Sabancaya volcano eruptions: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1990-95, 1988, 1986, 1784, 1750, <1595(?)

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Background

Both Nevado Ampato and Nevado Sabancaya show only little erosion due to glacial cover, suggesting that much of their summit edifices are geologically young.
Activity within the past 10,000 years consisted of explosive plinian eruptions followed by effusive eruptions of voluminous andesitic and dacitic lava flows. These flows surround the volcano on all sides except the north flank.

Significant volcanic eruptions: Sabancaya volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Sabancaya has had at least 12 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 9 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Sabancaya volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Sabancaya volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Sabancaya can be found on the news page of Sabancaya volcano.

Date	Note	VEI
2016 Nov 6 - ongoing	Sabancaya crater Historical obs./docs.	3
2015 Mar 8 - Dec 12	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	1
?? 2014 Aug 5 - Dec 27	Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs.	1
2003 Jul 30 ±1 d. - Jul 31 ?	Historical obs./docs.	2?
2000 Apr 16 ±15 d. - Oct 29 or later	Historical obs./docs.	2
1990 May 28 - 1998 Sep 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	3
1988 Jun 22 - Oct 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	1
?? 1987 Aug 7	Uncertain Eruption	2?
1986 Dec 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	1
1784 Jul	Historical obs./docs.	?
1750	Historical obs./docs.	?
1350 ±150 y. AD		?
3490 ±40 y. BC		0
6600 ? BC		?

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

Sabancaya Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Sabancaya volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Sabancaya began in 2016 and is continuing (as of May 2025).

+How often does Sabancaya volcano erupt?

Since 1750, Sabancaya volcano has had at least 9 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 30.6 years.
Many eruptions of Sabancaya have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 26 out of 275 years until now. In other words, Sabancaya has been active at least one in 10.6 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Sabancaya is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Sabancaya volcano at present?

Sabancaya volcano is relatively active: Since 1900, it has had 24 eruptions, and been active during 24 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Sabancaya has been in eruption one in 5.3 years on average. The latest eruption is still continuing at present.

+When was the largest eruption of Sabancaya volcano?

The largest eruption of Sabancaya volcano in historic times occurred during 1990 - 1998. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Sabancaya 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).