Logo link to homepage

Report on Ubinas (Peru) — 11 April-17 April 2007


Ubinas

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 11 April-17 April 2007
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2007. Report on Ubinas (Peru) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 11 April-17 April 2007. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (11 April-17 April 2007)

Ubinas

Peru

16.345°S, 70.8972°W; summit elev. 5608 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Based on a significant meteorological notice (SIGMET), the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that an ash plume from Ubinas rose to altitudes of 5.5-7 km (26,000-27,000 ft) a.s.l. on 10 April and drifted W. INGEMMET reported that on 11 April, emissions of gas and ash produced plumes to altitudes of 6.2-6.4 km (20,000-21,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. Based on an additional SIGMET, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that an ash plume rose to altitudes of 6.1-6.4 km (20,000-21,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.

Geological Summary. The truncated appearance of Ubinas, Perú's most active volcano, is a result of a 1.4-km-wide crater at the summit. It is the northernmost of three young volcanoes located along a regional structural lineament about 50 km behind the main volcanic front. The growth and destruction of Ubinas I was followed by construction of Ubinas II beginning in the mid-Pleistocene. The upper slopes of the andesitic-to-rhyolitic Ubinas II stratovolcano are composed primarily of andesitic and trachyandesitic lava flows and steepen to nearly 45°. The steep-walled, 150-m-deep summit crater contains an ash cone with a 500-m-wide funnel-shaped vent that is 200 m deep. Debris-avalanche deposits from the collapse of the SE flank about 3,700 years ago extend 10 km from the volcano. Widespread Plinian pumice-fall deposits include one from about 1,000 years ago. Holocene lava flows are visible on the flanks, but activity documented since the 16th century has consisted of intermittent minor-to-moderate explosive eruptions.

Sources: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET)