Nevados de Chillán Volcán
Updated: 12 jul. 2026 01:03 GMT -
stratovolcano
Central Chile, -36.86°S / -71.38°W 
+Hora local:
Salida del sol:
Puesta del sol:
Salida de la luna:
Puesta de la luna:
Summit height: 3212 m / 10,538 ft
Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)
Last update: 2 jul 2026 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
Nevados de Chillán volcano (SERNAGEOMIN webcam)
Nevados de Chillán volcano in central Chile is one of the country's most active volcanoes. It is part of the Southern Volcanic Zone of the Andean Cordillera, and is composed by 3 overlapping stratovolcanoes located on a NNW-SSE-trending line.
[smaller] [larger]
Erupciones del volcán Nevados de Chillán: 2016-ongoing, 2009, 2003, 1973-86, 1972, 1965, 1946-48, 1945, 1934, 1929, 1923, 1906, 1898, 1891, 1883, 1877, 1872, 1861-65, 1752, 1750-51, 1650
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Fecha y hora | Mag / Prof. | Distancia / Ubicación | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
The complex cone of Nevados de Chillán sits on a basement of granitic intrusive rocks and Cenozoic lavas. Its main vents extend along a 10 km long NE trending ridge.3 younger stratovolcanoes were constructed along a NNW-SSE line of 3 nested Pleistocene calderas, which produced ignimbrite sheets extending more than 100 km into the Central Depression of Chile.
The largest stratovolcano, dominantly andesitic, 3212-m-high Cerro Blanco (Volcán Nevado), is located at the NW end of the group.
3089-m-high Volcán Viejo (Volcán Chillán), which was the main active vent during the 17th-19th centuries, occupies the SE end.
The new Volcán Nuevo lava-dome complex formed between 1906 and 1945 between the two volcanoes and grew to exceed Volcán Viejo in altitude. The Volcán Arrau dome complex was constructed SE of Volcán Nuevo between 1973 and 1986, eventually exceeding its height by 20 m.
---
Source: GVP Nevados de Chillán volcano information
Erupciones volcánicas significativas: Nevados de Chillán volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Nevados de Chillán has had at least 26 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 22 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 6 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Nevados de Chillán volcano.
Additionally, there are 6 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Nevados de Chillán volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Nevados de Chillán volcano since around 1800. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Nevados de Chillán can be found on the news page of Nevados de Chillán volcano.
| Fecha | Nota | VEI | Fallecidos | Daños | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicanor crater Obs. históricas/documentos | 2 | desconocido | |||
?? | Erupción incierta | ? | desconocido | ||
| Saddle between Nuevo & Arrau volcanoes Obs. históricas/documentos | 1 | desconocido | |||
| Volcán Arrau (SE flank of Volcán Nuevo) Obs. históricas/documentos | 2 | desconocido | |||
?? | Erupción incierta | ? | desconocido | ||
?? | Erupción incierta | ? | desconocido | ||
| Volcán Nuevo Obs. históricas/documentos | 2? | desconocido | |||
?? | Erupción incierta | ? | desconocido | ||
| West flank of Volcán Viejo Obs. históricas/documentos | 2? | desconocido | |||
| Volcán Nuevo Obs. históricas/documentos | 2? | desconocido | |||
| Volcán Nuevo Obs. históricas/documentos | 2? | desconocido | |||
| Volcán Nuevo Obs. históricas/documentos | 2? | desconocido | |||
?? | Erupción incierta | 2? | desconocido | ||
| Volcán Nuevo Obs. históricas/documentos | 2 | desconocido | |||
| Volcán Nuevo Obs. históricas/documentos | 2 | desconocido | |||
| Volcán Nuevo Obs. históricas/documentos | 1 | desconocido | |||
| Volcán Viejo Obs. históricas/documentos | 2 | desconocido | |||
| Volcán Viejo Obs. históricas/documentos | 2 | desconocido | |||
| Volcán Viejo Obs. históricas/documentos | 2 | desconocido | |||
?? | Erupción incierta | 2? | desconocido | ||
| Volcán Chillán Obs. históricas/documentos | 2 | desconocido | |||
| Volcán Chillán Obs. históricas/documentos | 2 | desconocido | |||
| NW flank of Cerro Blanco (Santa Gertrudis) Obs. históricas/documentos | 3 | desconocido | |||
| NW flank of Cerro Blanco (Santa Gertrudis) Obs. históricas/documentos | 2 | desconocido | |||
| W flank of Volcán Viejo (Volcán Renegado) Obs. históricas/documentos | 2? | desconocido | |||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Fuentes: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Erupciones del volcán Nevados de Chillán
2009 eruption
Based on satellite imagery, Nevados de Chillán volcano had an eruption in January 2009. An ash plume was detected that rose to 3.7-6.1 km (12,000-20,000 ft) altitude on 21-22 January and drifted 50-80 km SE.
Based on satellite imagery, Nevados de Chillán volcano had an eruption in January 2009. An ash plume was detected that rose to 3.7-6.1 km (12,000-20,000 ft) altitude on 21-22 January and drifted 50-80 km SE.
2003 eruption
Small eruptions occurred for over the week ending 27 August 2003, with ash columns up to heights of 500 m. The eruptions produced a new double crater in the saddle between the cones Nuevo (which erupted during 1906-1945) and Arrau (which erupted during 1973-1986). Eruptions occurred at Las Termas subcomplex.
Small eruptions occurred for over the week ending 27 August 2003, with ash columns up to heights of 500 m. The eruptions produced a new double crater in the saddle between the cones Nuevo (which erupted during 1906-1945) and Arrau (which erupted during 1973-1986). Eruptions occurred at Las Termas subcomplex.
1861-65 eruptions
The eruptions between 1861-65 occurred on the NW flank of Cerro Blanco subcomplex from the Santa Gertrudis cone and produced a new lava field.
The main phase of the eruption occurred during August 1861, in the height of the Austral winter, when seasonal snow covered the upper flanks of the volcano. Powerful strombolian explosions sent incandescent bombs high into the sky and could be seen at night from Chillan town 80 km to the west. At the same time, strong ash eruptions occurred and an earthquake was felt in Chillan. Ash fall turned water cloudy in Nuble River 20 km to the north. On 22 August 1861, lava flows were erupted. From February 1862 until 1863, strombolian explosions continued with small lava fountains near the vent.
---
Source:
K. Mee, H. Tuffen and J. S. Gilbert (2006) "Snow-contact volcanic facies and their use in determining past eruptive environments at Nevados de Chillán volcano, Chile", Bull. Volc., Volume 68, Number 4, 363-376
The eruptions between 1861-65 occurred on the NW flank of Cerro Blanco subcomplex from the Santa Gertrudis cone and produced a new lava field.
The main phase of the eruption occurred during August 1861, in the height of the Austral winter, when seasonal snow covered the upper flanks of the volcano. Powerful strombolian explosions sent incandescent bombs high into the sky and could be seen at night from Chillan town 80 km to the west. At the same time, strong ash eruptions occurred and an earthquake was felt in Chillan. Ash fall turned water cloudy in Nuble River 20 km to the north. On 22 August 1861, lava flows were erupted. From February 1862 until 1863, strombolian explosions continued with small lava fountains near the vent.
---
Source:
K. Mee, H. Tuffen and J. S. Gilbert (2006) "Snow-contact volcanic facies and their use in determining past eruptive environments at Nevados de Chillán volcano, Chile", Bull. Volc., Volume 68, Number 4, 363-376
Nevados de Chillán Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Nevados de Chillán volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Nevados de Chillán occurred during 2016 - 2022.
+How often does Nevados de Chillán volcano erupt?
Since 1650 AD, Nevados de Chillán volcano has had at least 22 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 17.1 years.
Many eruptions of Nevados de Chillán have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 48 out of 376 years until now. In other words, Nevados de Chillán has been active at least one in 7.8 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Nevados de Chillán is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+How active is Nevados de Chillán volcano at present?
Nevados de Chillán volcano is very active: Since 1900, it has had 32 eruptions, and been active during 32 years out of 127 as of now. This means, Nevados de Chillán has been in eruption one in 4 years on average. The last eruption was from 2016 until 2022 and ended 4 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Nevados de Chillán volcano?
The largest eruption of Nevados de Chillán volcano in historic times occurred during 1864 - 1865. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Últimas imágenes satelitales
Nevados de Chillán Volcán Mapas
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Nevados de Chillán volcano (scale of few kilometers)
