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Osorno

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Volcanic Region
  • Landform | Volc Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 41.105°S
  • 72.496°W

  • 2,659 m
    8,724 ft

  • 358010
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Weekly Report: 2 May-8 May 2018 Citation IconCite this Report

Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) raised the Alert Level for Osorno to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) on 8 May, due to a gradual increase in the number and magnitude of seismic events recorded during 1-30 April. Earthquakes were concentrated on the NNW flank. The largest of the 294 total events was a M 3, located 2 km NW of the crater at a depth of 3.3 km.

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

Weekly Reports - Index


2018: May


2 May-8 May 2018 Citation IconCite this Report

Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) raised the Alert Level for Osorno to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) on 8 May, due to a gradual increase in the number and magnitude of seismic events recorded during 1-30 April. Earthquakes were concentrated on the NNW flank. The largest of the 294 total events was a M 3, located 2 km NW of the crater at a depth of 3.3 km.

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


The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Osorno.

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 17 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1869 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1869 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatomagmatic
1869    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1855 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
1855 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatomagmatic
1855    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1852 ] Discredited Eruption

1851 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
1851 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1851    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1837 Nov 7 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1837 Nov 7 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatomagmatic
1837 Nov 7    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1834 Nov 29 - 1835 Feb 24 ± 4 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption Summit & SSW side (Negrillar de Ensenada)
1834 Nov 29 - 1835 Feb 24 ± 4 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Summit & SSW side (Negrillar de Ensenada)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
1834 Nov 29    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1790 Mar 9 - 1791 Dec 26 ± 5 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption SE base
1790 Mar 9 - 1791 Dec 26 ± 5 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SE base

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
1790 Mar 9    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1765 ± 14 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption
1765 ± 14 years - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1765 ± 14 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1719 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1719 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 1 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
1719    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1644 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1644 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Flames
1644    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1640 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1640 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Flames
1640    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1575 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1575 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Flames
1575    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1310 ± 75 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption
1310 ± 75 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice

1220 ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption
1220 ± 100 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice

0910 ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption
0910 ± 100 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria

0420 ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
0420 ± 100 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
0420 ± 100 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0210 BCE ± 75 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption
0210 BCE ± 75 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice

1710 BCE ± 75 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption
1710 BCE ± 75 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Osorno.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Osorno.

Photo Gallery

The symmetrical, glacier-clad Osorno stratovolcano forms a renowned landmark between Todos Los Santos and Llanguihue lakes. It is seen here from the north, with Calbuco volcano visible at the extreme right. The 2652-m-high Osorno is one of the most active volcanoes of the southern Chilean Andes. Flank scoria cones and fissure vents, primarily on the west and SW sides, have produced lava flows that reached Lago Llanguihue. Historical eruptions have originated from both summit and flank vents.

Photo by Hugo Moreno (University of Chile).
A field of fresh-looking, unvegetated lava flows blankets the SW flank of Osorno volcano. Prominent flow levees mark channels of individual flow lobes. Some of these lava flows were erupted from cinder cones on the SSW flank of Osorno in 1835. Explosive activity beginning on November 29, 1834 was followed by lava effusion starting January 19, 1835 that lasted until the end of February.

Photo by Hugo Moreno (University of Chile).
Along with its neighbor Osorno (upper left), Calbuco is one of the most active volcanoes of the southern Chilean Andes. The summit of Calbuco, seen at the left in this view from the SW, is the remnant of an older volcano that collapsed during the late Pleistocene, producing a debris avalanche that swept NNW into Lake Llanquihue. The smooth, snow-covered summit at the right is a young, historical lava-dome complex that postdates one of the largest historical eruptions in southern Chile during 1893-1894.

Photo by Hugo Moreno (University of Chile).
GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

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.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

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

External Sites