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Report on Sabancaya (Peru) — 19 July-25 July 2017


Sabancaya

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 19 July-25 July 2017
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2017. Report on Sabancaya (Peru) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 19 July-25 July 2017. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (19 July-25 July 2017)

Sabancaya

Peru

15.787°S, 71.857°W; summit elev. 5960 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that since the beginning of July there had been a gradual increase in activity at Sabancaya associated with rising magma and increased sulfur dioxide gas emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to moderate heights, between 2.5 and 4.5 km above the crater rim. On 22 July winds shifted S and SE, causing ashfall in Lluta (30 km SW), Huanca (75 km SSE), and in some parts of Arequipa (80 km SSE).

Geological Summary. Sabancaya, located in the saddle NE of Ampato and SE of Hualca Hualca volcanoes, is the youngest of these volcanic centers and the only one to have erupted in historical time. The oldest of the three, Nevado Hualca Hualca, is of probable late-Pliocene to early Pleistocene age. The name Sabancaya (meaning "tongue of fire" in the Quechua language) first appeared in records in 1595 CE, suggesting activity prior to that date. Holocene activity has consisted of Plinian eruptions followed by emission of voluminous andesitic and dacitic lava flows, which form an extensive apron around the volcano on all sides but the south. Records of historical eruptions date back to 1750.

Sources: Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET), Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP)