Volcano of the Week!

17/02/2014-23/02/2014

This week’s volcano of the week is:

Acamarachi

Location: Northern Chile, South America

Type: Stratovolcano

Elevation: 6046 metres, 19831 feet

Last Eruption: Unknown

Status: Extinct

Details:

Acamarachi, also known as Cerro Pili is the highest peak of the northern Andes. This steep sided volcano with slopes up to 45 degrees is andesitic-dacitic in nature and is part of a small volcanic complex. The volcanic complex is also made of Colachi, another volcano located NNW 6km from Acamarachi. On the north flank of the volcano is a lava dome and on the summit is an old poorly preserved crater which contains a lake measuring 10 to 15 metres in diameter. The crater lake is believed to be the second highest lake in the world and the highest in South America. Acamarachi is also believed to have been constructed in pre-Holocene times since there are no lava flows from the Holocene time and therefore is also thought to be extinct. In contract, according to González-Ferrán there are lava flows on the summit which are considered to be of Holocene age.

        

Photo Source: Global Volcanism Program