Diamante Caldera

Central Chile

SUMMARY:

Type: caldera
Activity: dormant
Last Eruption: 1912 A.D.
Rock Type: ?
Eruptive Volume: ? cu km
Location Map from Xerox PARC
Latitude: 34.17 S
Longitude: 69.87 W

Geologic Background:

Diamante Caldera is situated above the gently dipping (25°) subduction zone of south-central Chile, more or less between the loci of great earthquakes that destroyed Mendoza (Argentina) in 1861 and Valparaiso (Chile) in 1906).

Diamante Caldera formed approximately 0.45 m.y. ago after eruption of approximately 450 cu km of rhyolitic pyroclastic-flow deposits. The prescent surface area of Diamante deposits is 1,300 sq km, but the predissection, preburial area was approximately 15,000 sq km. Maipo Volcano is an andesitic stratovolcano that partially fills the western part of Diamante Caldera. Precaldera lavas are mostly andesite but include some rhyolite.

Historic Activity:

  • Maipo has reportedly erupted four times in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, some reported eruptions in this area have been occasional sightings of persistent steam plumes. No deposits are known from any historical eruptions at Maipo.

Recent Activity:

  • None reported

Data Sources:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Last Update: 12/17/00