Geologic Background:
The world's highest active volcano, Nevados Ojos
del Salado rises to 6,887 m along the Chile-Argentina
border. The summit complex, which is elongated in a NE-SW
direction, contains numerous craters and cones and has
been the source of Holocene lava flows. The most recent
eruptive activity of Nevados Ojos del Salado appears to
have originated along a NNE-trending rift along the
summit complex. It involved formation of a thick, viscous
lava flow and at least a dozen small cones, lava domes,
and explosion craters.
Historic Activity:
- No historical eruptions are recorded, but the volcano
is fumarolically active. Solfataric activity was
previously observed in 1937 and 1956.
Recent Activity:
- An intermittent gray column composed of water vapor
and solfataric gases was observed for 3 hours on the
evening of Nov. 14, 1993. A similar, but less intense
column was witnessed on Nov. 16 by observers at the
Servicio Agricola Ganadero (Farm Service Office) and the
local police station in Maricunga, 30 km from the
volcano.
Data Sources:
- Global Volcanism Network (V. 18, No. 11).
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