Aracar

Photo of this volcano
Country Argentina
Volcanic Region Central Andean Volcanic Arc
Landform | Volc Type Composite | Stratovolcano
Last Known Eruption Unknown - Evidence Credible
Coordinates 24.29°S, 67.783°W
Elevation 6,095 m (19,997 ft)
Volcano Number 355160
Google Earth icon Google Earth Placemark with Features
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Latest Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports available for Aracar.

Latest Bulletin Report

Bulletin Report for April 1993 (BGVN 18:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Ash column reported

A steam plume was observed rising above Arácar on 28 March. Viewed from the town of Tolar Grande, 50 km SE, the plume persisted throughout the clear day. At least twice during the day, a large ash column slowly rose 2,000 m above the summit. The following day clouds prevented a clear view of the volcano, but an "ashy haze" in the sky was noted. A local observer indicated that the activity was not unusual.

Arácar has a base 10 km in diameter. It is located just E of the Argentina-Chile border, ~ 100 km S of Lascar and 80 km NE of Llullaillaco volcanoes. No historical eruptions have been recorded. Moyra Gardeweg provided the following background. "It is clearly younger than the surrounding Miocene volcanoes. Its steep conical edifice has been cut by some deep gorges and an uncovered alteration zone lies close to its summit on the NE flank. It has a well-developed and well-preserved summit crater (1-1.5 km diameter) that contains a tiny lake. Lava flows are well preserved at the base of the cone (below 4,500-m elev), a common feature of Pliocene-to-Quaternary volcanoes in the Central Andes. I have no information about its exact age, but the good preservation of the summit crater and lava flows suggest that it could be Quaternary, although I can only assume it is Pliocene or younger."

Information Contacts: R. Trujillo, Colorado, USA; M. Gardeweg, SERNAGEOMIN, Santiago.

Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Aracar.

Bulletin Reports

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

Index with Summary Sentence

04/1993 (BGVN 18:04) Ash column reported

Report Narratives

Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


April 1993 (BGVN 18:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Ash column reported

A steam plume was observed rising above Arácar on 28 March. Viewed from the town of Tolar Grande, 50 km SE, the plume persisted throughout the clear day. At least twice during the day, a large ash column slowly rose 2,000 m above the summit. The following day clouds prevented a clear view of the volcano, but an "ashy haze" in the sky was noted. A local observer indicated that the activity was not unusual.

Arácar has a base 10 km in diameter. It is located just E of the Argentina-Chile border, ~ 100 km S of Lascar and 80 km NE of Llullaillaco volcanoes. No historical eruptions have been recorded. Moyra Gardeweg provided the following background. "It is clearly younger than the surrounding Miocene volcanoes. Its steep conical edifice has been cut by some deep gorges and an uncovered alteration zone lies close to its summit on the NE flank. It has a well-developed and well-preserved summit crater (1-1.5 km diameter) that contains a tiny lake. Lava flows are well preserved at the base of the cone (below 4,500-m elev), a common feature of Pliocene-to-Quaternary volcanoes in the Central Andes. I have no information about its exact age, but the good preservation of the summit crater and lava flows suggest that it could be Quaternary, although I can only assume it is Pliocene or younger."

Information Contacts: R. Trujillo, Colorado, USA; M. Gardeweg, SERNAGEOMIN, Santiago.

General Information

Eruptive History

There is data available for 0 confirmed eruptive period.

[ 1993 Mar 28 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)
1993 Mar 28 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Avalanche Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Ash Uncertain
1993 Mar 28    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

Synonyms and Subfeatures

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.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Aracar in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites