Cerro Blanco

Photo of this volcano
Country Argentina
Volcanic Region Central Andean Volcanic Arc
Landform | Volc Type Caldera | Caldera
Last Known Eruption 2300 BCE
Coordinates 26.7657°S, 67.746°W
Elevation 4,670 m (15,322 ft)
Volcano Number 355210
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Latest Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

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

Latest Bulletin Report

Bulletin Report for May 2003 (BGVN 28:05) Citation IconCite this Report

Satellite surveys during May 1996-October 2000 indicate subsidence

A satellite-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) survey of the remote central Andes volcanic arc (Pritchard and Simons, 2002) revealed deformation in the Robledo caldera between May 1992 and October 2000 (figure 1). Subsidence was detected, with a maximum deformation rate in the radar line-of-sight of 2-2.5 cm/year. The subsidence rate seemed to be decreasing with time. The inferred source depth was 4.5-6 km below sea level. Additional details about the study and analysis are available in Pritchard and Simons (2002).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Shaded relief topographic map of the central Andes with insets showing areas of deformation detected by Pritchard and Simons (2002). Interferograms (draped over shaded relief) indicate active deformation; each color cycle corresponds to 5 cm of deformation in the radar line-of-sight (LOS). The LOS direction from ground to spacecraft (black arrow) is inclined 23° from the vertical. Black squares indicate radar frames, and black triangles show potential volcanic edifices. Courtesy of Matthew Pritchard.

Reference. Pritchard, M., and Simons, M., 2002, A satellite geodetic survey of large-scale deformation of volcanic centres in the Central Andes: Nature, v. 418, p. 167-170.

Information Contacts: Matthew Pritchard and Mark Simons, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA (URL: http://www.gps.caltech.edu/).

Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Cerro Blanco.

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

05/2003 (BGVN 28:05) Satellite surveys during May 1996-October 2000 indicate subsidence

Report Narratives

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


May 2003 (BGVN 28:05) Citation IconCite this Report

Satellite surveys during May 1996-October 2000 indicate subsidence

A satellite-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) survey of the remote central Andes volcanic arc (Pritchard and Simons, 2002) revealed deformation in the Robledo caldera between May 1992 and October 2000 (figure 1). Subsidence was detected, with a maximum deformation rate in the radar line-of-sight of 2-2.5 cm/year. The subsidence rate seemed to be decreasing with time. The inferred source depth was 4.5-6 km below sea level. Additional details about the study and analysis are available in Pritchard and Simons (2002).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Shaded relief topographic map of the central Andes with insets showing areas of deformation detected by Pritchard and Simons (2002). Interferograms (draped over shaded relief) indicate active deformation; each color cycle corresponds to 5 cm of deformation in the radar line-of-sight (LOS). The LOS direction from ground to spacecraft (black arrow) is inclined 23° from the vertical. Black squares indicate radar frames, and black triangles show potential volcanic edifices. Courtesy of Matthew Pritchard.

Reference. Pritchard, M., and Simons, M., 2002, A satellite geodetic survey of large-scale deformation of volcanic centres in the Central Andes: Nature, v. 418, p. 167-170.

Information Contacts: Matthew Pritchard and Mark Simons, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA (URL: http://www.gps.caltech.edu/).

General Information

Eruptive History

There is data available for 1 confirmed eruptive period.

2300 BCE ± 160 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 7

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)
2300 BCE ± 160 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome Lava dome formation preceded and followed plinian explosive phase.
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
2300 BCE ± 160 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 7

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 Cerro Blanco in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites