Lascar volcano, Northern Chile: news & activity updates

Lascar volcano (Northern Chile) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 5 April-11 April 2023 (Continuing Activity)

SERNAGEOMIN reported that during the last two months activity at Láscar had declined to low levels, based on seismological, geodetic, geochemical, and remote sensing data, though remained above baseline. The volume of the lava dome remained unchanged, seismicity was low including small numbers of volcano-tectonic and tornillo-type events, sulfur dioxide gas emissions were low, and tephra was absent from emissions. On 6 April the Alert Level was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the crater. Read all

Lascar volcano (Northern Chile) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 15 February-21 February 2023 (New Activity / Unrest)

SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 15-21 February seismicity at Láscar continued to be dominated by volcano-tectonic signals with smaller numbers of both long-period and tornillo-type events. Daily whitish gas emissions were mostly diffuse, rose as high as 500 m above the crater rim, and drifted mainly E, SE, and W. Sulfur dioxide emissions were low, no notable deformation was detected, and no thermal anomalies were identified in satellite images. Read all

Lascar volcano (Northern Chile) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 8 February-14 February 2023 (New Activity / Unrest)

SERNAGEOMIN reported that seismicity at Láscar was dominated by volcano-tectonic signals with smaller numbers of both long-period and tornillo-type events during 7-14 February. Seismicity increased during the week, associated with continuing effusion of the dome-like structure that had emerged on the crater floor on 30 January. Daily whitish gas emissions were mostly diffuse and rose around 400 m above the crater rim, though emissions rose as high as 700 m during 11-12 February. Read all

Lascar Volcano (Northern Chile) in Orange alert. Latest SERNAGEOMIN report and hazard map.

Lascar volcano remains in orange alert (the second highest of a four-color scale, decalred on January 28th), with the presence of a lava dome. SERNAGEOMIN (Chile's national geology and mining service) reported that between February 6th-7th, there was an increase in volcano-tectonic (VT) events, seismic events caused when the pressure of magma cracks volcanic rock. The strongest VT event was measured as a magnitude of 2.5 on the local magnitude scale. Read all

Lascar volcano (Northern Chile) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 1 February-7 February 2023 (New Activity / Unrest)

SERNAGEOMIN reported that a dome-like structure was first visible on the floor of Láscar's summit crater in 30 January satellite images, after a period of increased seismicity recorded during the previous few days. The structure was 81 m by 93 m in dimension and covered an area of about 5,332 square meters. Seismicity was low during 1-7 February, though levels increased towards the end of the week. Read all

Lascar volcano (Northern Chile): new lava dome

Satellite observations from 30 January, analyzed by Skysat from the European Space Agency, confirmed a new lava dome within the summit crater. Read all

Lascar volcano (Northern Chile) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 25 January-31 January 2023 (New Activity / Unrest)

SERNAGEOMIN reported increased seismicity at Láscar on 26 January with long-period (LP) events indicating fluid movement at shallower depths. The Alert Level was raised to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and SENAPRED warned the public to stay at least 3 km away from the crater. ONEMI declared an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for San Pedro de Atacama (70 km NW). Read all

Lascar Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: ISOLATED EMISSION