Geologic Background:
Calbuco is a very explosive late Pleistocene to
Holocene andesitic volcano south of Lake Llanquihue that
underwent edifice collapse in the late Pleistocene,
producing a volcanic debris avalanche that reached the
lake.
Historic Activity:
- At least 9 eruptions since 1837, with the last in
1961.
- One of the largest historical eruptions in southern
Chile took place from Calbuco in 1893-1894. Violent
eruptions ejected 30-cm bombs to distances of 8 km from
the crater, accompanied by voluminous hot lahars.
- Strong explosions occurred in April 1917, and a lava
dome formed in the crater accompanied by hot lahars.
- Another short explosive eruption in January 1929 also
included an apparent pyroclastic flow and a lava
flow.
- The last major eruption of Calbuco, in 1961, sent ash
columns 12-15 km high and produced plumes that dispersed
mainly to the SE and two lava flows were also
emitted.
Recent Activity:
- Short 4 hour eruption in 1972.
- Strong fumarolic emission form main crater on Aug.
12, 1996.
Data Sources:
- Global Volcanism Network (V. 21, No. 9).
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