Logo link to homepage

Report on Sabancaya (Peru) — 1 July-7 July 2020


Sabancaya

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 1 July-7 July 2020
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2020. Report on Sabancaya (Peru) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 1 July-7 July 2020. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (1 July-7 July 2020)

Sabancaya

Peru

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET) reported that drone footage acquired at Sabancaya on 20 June showed that the lava dome in the main crater had been destroyed, leaving blocks on the crater floor. Explosions at fractured areas generated gas-and-ash plumes. During 23-24 June explosions produced gas-and-ash plumes that rose as high as 1.8 km above the summit and drifted E and SE. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including in the districts of Chivay, Achoma, Ichupampa, Yanque, and Coporaque, and in the area of Sallali.

Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported a daily average of 20 explosions during 29 June-5 July. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3.5 km above the summit and drifted S, SE, NE, and N. There were seven thermal anomalies over the crater identified in satellite data. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale) and the public were warned to stay outside of a 12-km radius.

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)