Geologic Background:
Tupungatito volcano, the northernmost
historically active volcano of the central Chilean Andes,
is located immediately SW of the Pleistocene Tupungato
volcano. Tupungatito consists of a group of 12 Holocene
craters and a pyroclastic cone at the NW end of the
4-km-wide, Pleistocene Nevado Sin Nombre caldera, which
is filled by glaciers at its southern end and is breached
to the NW. Lava flows from the northernnost vent have
traveled down the NW flank breach.
Historic Activity:
- Tupungatito has produced frequent mild explosive
eruptions during the 19th and 20th centuries.
- At least 18 eruptions occurred between 1829 and
1980.
Recent Activity:
- A small ash eruption occurred on January 20, 1986. A
notable increase in snowmelt inside the craters and
increased fumarolic activity has occurred.
Data Sources:
- Smithsonian's SEAN Bulletin (V. 5, No. 1 to V. 12,
No. 12).
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