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Laguna del Maule

Photo of this volcano
  • Chile
  • Caldera
  • 50 BCE
  •  
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 36.058°S
  • 70.492°W

  • 2162 m
    7093 ft

  • 357061
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number
Most Recent Weekly Report: 29 March-4 April 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

SERNAGEOMIN reported that increased seismicity at Laguna del Maule was first registered around 1800 on 30 March. The seismic monitoring stations recorded a swarm of 300 volcano-tectonic earthquakes that occurred in an elongated area in a NW-SE direction approximately 10 km SW of the crater at a depth of up 8 km. These events were associated with rock fracturing processes. Starting on 3 April there was an increase in the magnitude of the earthquakes at M 2.5, M 2.8, and M 2.9 at depths of 4.5-8 km. The Alert Level was raised to Yellow, the second lowest on a four-color scale on 3 April.

Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

Weekly Reports - Index


2023: March
2021: February | March | December
2020: June | July | September | November


29 March-4 April 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

SERNAGEOMIN reported that increased seismicity at Laguna del Maule was first registered around 1800 on 30 March. The seismic monitoring stations recorded a swarm of 300 volcano-tectonic earthquakes that occurred in an elongated area in a NW-SE direction approximately 10 km SW of the crater at a depth of up 8 km. These events were associated with rock fracturing processes. Starting on 3 April there was an increase in the magnitude of the earthquakes at M 2.5, M 2.8, and M 2.9 at depths of 4.5-8 km. The Alert Level was raised to Yellow, the second lowest on a four-color scale on 3 April.

Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)


22 December-28 December 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

SERNAGEOMIN reported that inflation at Laguna del Maule continued in an area SW of the lake during 1-15 December, though deformation had been decreasing since October with a with a maximum rate of 1.88 centimeters per month. Deformation rates during November and December were comparable to those recorded prior to 2019. The number of volcano-tectonic events had also decreased; the largest event was a M 2.3 located 4.1 km ESE from the center of the lake at a depth of 6.1 km. The Alert Level for Laguna del Maule was lowered to Green, the lowest level on a four-color scale, on 24 December. ONEMI canceled the Yellow Alert for San Clemente, and reminded the public to stay 1 km away from the area producing anomalous carbon dioxide emissions, about 5 km SW of the lake’s shore.

Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN); Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)


17 March-23 March 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 1-15 March the seismic network at Laguna del Maule recorded a total of 123 volcano-tectonic earthquakes. The largest event was a local M 2.4 located 8.2 km WSW of the lake, at a depth of 4.4 km. One tremor event was also recorded. Recent carbon dioxide emission measurements showed an upward trend and that the area of anomalous emissions had expanded. Deformation rates were higher than maximum averages. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, the second lowest level on a four-color scale. ONEMI maintained a Yellow Alert for San Clemente and recommended restricted access within a radius of 2 km from the center of elevated carbon dioxide emissions.

Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN); Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)


17 February-23 February 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 1-16 February the seismic network at Laguna del Maule recorded a total of 533 volcano-tectonic earthquakes. Two earthquake swarms were recorded during 15-16 February; the largest events were local magnitude 3.1, and were located 9.1 and 8.8 km SW of the lake at a depth of 1.9 km. The epicenters were near the area producing anomalous carbon dioxide emissions. Swarms were recorded in June and December 2020, and January and February 2021, with the largest events occurring during the most recent swarm.

The highest rate of inflation during the previous 30 days was 2.3 cm/month, recorded at a station closest to the center of deformation. The highest horizontal displacement was an estimated 1.4 cm/month from a station just SW of the center. InSAR data mostly showed agreement in the magnitude and distribution of the ground-based deformation data. Overall, the deformation rates were higher than maximum averages. On 22 February the Alert Level was raised to Yellow, the second lowest level on a four-color scale. ONEMI declared a Yellow Alert for San Clemente and recommended restricted access within a radius of 2 km from the center of elevated carbon dioxide emissions.

Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN); Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)


4 November-10 November 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

SERNAGEOMIN reported that 10 low-magnitude volcano-tectonic earthquakes were detected at the Laguna del Maule Volcanic Complex during 16-31 October; seismicity was low in the region where a swarm had occurred in June. Satellite data showed no deformation, surface changes, gas emissions, or thermal anomalies. On 6 November the Alert Level was lowered to Green, the lowest level on a four-color scale. ONEMI cancelled the Yellow Alert for San Clemente, but declared a “Preventive Early Warning” ensuring continued surveillance of the area and coordination within the Civil Protection System.

Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN); Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)


23 September-29 September 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 1-15 September inflation continued to be detected at the Laguna del Maule Volcanic Complex, although at a lower rate of 0.7 cm per month which is below the 2 cm per month average for this year. Seismicity in the S sector was low in both number and magnitude of events. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, the second lowest color on a four-color scale, as activity remained above baselines. ONEMI recommended restricted access within a radius of 2 km from the emission center.

Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN); Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)


1 July-7 July 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

SERNAGEOMIN reported that, although the number and magnitude of earthquakes had decreased during 20-30 June, seismicity at the Laguna del Maule Volcanic Complex continued to remain anomalously elevated at east through 7 July. The location of the activity remained within an area about 5 km in diameter, near the intersection of two faults near Las Nieblas, and corresponded to elevated levels of carbon dioxide emissions. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, the second lowest color on a four-color scale; ONEMI recommended restricted access within a radius of 2 km from the emission center.

Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN); Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)


17 June-23 June 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

SERNAGEOMIN’s Volcanological Observatory of the Southern Andes (OVDAS) of Chile and SEGEMAR’s Argentine Observatory of Volcanic Surveillance (OAVV) reported anomalous activity at Laguna del Maule Volcanic Complex. Elevated levels of carbon dioxide were detected in an area SW of the caldera lake, along the lower part of the Cabecera de Troncoso River, about 5 km from the lake’s shore. Carbon dioxide emissions were measured in February 2020 and notably elevated relative to March 2019 measurements. An impacted area possibly stretched as far as 500 m from the point representing the highest carbon dioxide emission rate; observers noted areas of discolored brown and orange soil aonlg with dead or emaciated animals.

Three swarms of volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes recorded in mid-June were mainly located in the Las Nieblas area, SW of the lake, at depths of 2-8 km. The first began at 0340 on 11 June and totaled at least 400 events. The second swarm began at 2338 on 12 June was characterized by 121 events, located 8.8 km W of the crater. The third swarm began at 2334 on 15 June and was characterized by 190 events located 10.4 km SW of the crater. All of the earthquakes were small magnitudes; the largest event was a local M 2.5. On 18 June the Alert Level was raised to Yellow, the second lowest color on a four-color scale; ONEMI recommended restricting access within a radius of 2 km from the emission center. Seismic activity continued to be recorded, though at lesser magnitudes.

Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN); Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino (SEGEMAR); Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)


The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Laguna del Maule.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 4 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

0050 BCE (in or before) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode rln
0050 BCE (in or before) - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: Uranium-series

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at rln

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0250 BCE Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode rcd
0250 BCE - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: Ar/Ar

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at rcd

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1550 BCE Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode rsl and rcl
1550 BCE - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: Ar/Ar

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at rsl and rcl

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

4450 BCE Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode rcb
4450 BCE - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: Ar/Ar

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at rcb

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is data available for 1 deformation periods. Expand each entry for additional details.


Deformation during 2007 - 2013 [Uplift; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 2007 Stop Date: 2013 Direction: Uplift Method: InSAR
Magnitude: Unknown Spatial Extent: 20.00 km Latitude: -36.000 Longitude: -71.000

Remarks: The Laguna del Maule volcanic field has been rapidly uplifting since 2007 and can be modeled by an inflating sill.

Figure (see Caption)

Interferograms for Laguna del Maule, spanning the 1058-d time interval from 2007 February 12 to 2010 January 5 (P06). The panels include (a) observed phase values; (b) modelled phase values calculated from the final estimate of the parameters in the Okada dislocation model; (c) final residual phase values formed by subtracting final modelled values from observed phase values and (d) angular deviations for final estimate. One cycle of phase denotes 118.1 mm of range change. The ALOS orbit num- bers are 5602 and 21035. The altitude of ambiguity is 71.7 m. Unit vector [E,N,U] = [?0.6242, ?0.1851, 0.7590]. The incidence angle is 41? from ver- tical. Coordinates are easting and northing in kilometre using the Universal Transverse Mercator (zone 19) projection (Snyder 1982).

From: Feigl et al. 2014.


Reference List: Fournier at al. 2010; Feigl et al. 2014.

Full References:

Feigl, K. L., Le Mevel, H., Ali, S. T., Cordova, L., Andersen, N. L., DeMets, C., & Singer, B. S., 2014. Rapid uplift in Laguna del Maule volcanic field of the Andean Southern Volcanic zone (Chile) 2007-2012. Geophysical Journal International, 196(2), 885-901.

Fournier, T. J., M. E. Pritchard, and S. N. Riddick, 2010. Duration, magnitude, and frequency of subaerial volcano deformation events: New results from Latin America using InSAR and a global synthesis. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 11: Q01003. https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GC002558

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Laguna del Maule.

GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 5 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number Sample Description Lava Source Collection Date
NMNH 117456-11 Perlite -- --
NMNH 117456-12 Obsidian -- --
NMNH 117456-13 Obsidian -- --
NMNH 117456-14 Obsidian -- --
NMNH 117456-21 Obsidian -- --
External Sites