Uturuncu Volcano

Uturuncu Volcano Latest News

Recently, it was revealed that the eruption of Mount Uturuncu volcano could become imminent, since new batches of hot magma were making their way up from the depths.

About Uturuncu Volcano

• Location: It is a large dormant volcano located in southwestern Bolivia, within the Andes Mountains.
• Uturuncu is known as a “zombie” volcano for showing signs of activity despite being considered geologically dead.
• It is a stratovolcano dominated by dacitic lava domes and flows.
• It is about 6,008 meters (19,711 feet) above sea level — it is the tallest mountain in the southern part of Bolivia.
• Previous Eruption: Uturuncu last erupted 250,000 years ago, yet is seismically active and lies at the centre of a 70 km diameter uplifted region. 
• Beneath Uturuncu at a depth of about 10 to 20 kilometers lies a vast reservoir of magma called the Altiplano-Puna Magma Body. 
  • It is spanning roughly 200 kilometers, it is the biggest known active magma body in the planet’s crust.
  • The volcano displays a distinct “sombrero” shape, with the center rising and the surrounding areas sinking.
• The volcano currently experiences hundreds of small earthquakes per year.

Source: TOI

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