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Report on Sabancaya (Peru) — 15 May-21 May 2019


Sabancaya

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 15 May-21 May 2019
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2019. Report on Sabancaya (Peru) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 15 May-21 May 2019. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (15 May-21 May 2019)

Sabancaya

Peru

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) and Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET) reported that an average of 33 low-to-medium intensity explosions per day occurred at Sabancaya during 13-19 May. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim and drifted NW, N, and NE. There were 10 thermal anomalies identified in satellite data. The report noted that the public should not approach the crater within 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 Geofísico del Perú (IGP), Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET)