According to Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), images of Villarrica posted on 14 November showed a dense plume rising and obscuring the deeper parts of the crater, and an area on the W part of the crater rim with ash and bomb deposits.

14 November 2012            Back to Top

According to Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), images of Villarrica posted on 14 November showed a dense plume rising and obscuring the deeper parts of the crater, and an area on the W part of the crater rim with ash and bomb deposits.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI)

7 November 2012            Back to Top

According to Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), incandescence from Villarrica's crater subsided mid-April and was undetected by satellite and ground observations at least through 10 November. Images captured by a camera in Pucon (16 km N) on 10 November showed an increase in the plume intensity. Small water vapor plumes, 50 m wide, rose from the depths of the crater.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI)

18 April 2012            Back to Top

According to Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), an ash plume rose 50 m above Villarrica on 19 April.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI)

11 April 2012            Back to Top

According to Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), ash emissions rose from Villarrica on 9 April and incandescence emanated from the crater at night.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI)

14 March 2012            Back to Top

According to Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), spattering from Villarrica's lava lake was visible during 7-9 March. Four small ash emissions were observed during 13-14 March.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI)

7 March 2012            Back to Top

According to Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), two small ash emissions from Villarrica occurred on 7 March. Incandescence from the crater was observed from the town of Pucon (16 km N) during 7-8 March.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI)

28 September 2011            Back to Top

According to Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), an image from 17 September showed the inner SSW wall of the crater covered with snow and ice, and a thin layer of ash. A rapid rise in the level of the lava lake (in a pit about 40 m wide) on 19 September caused much of the snow and ice to melt, especially on the southern inner wall. Strombolian explosions from the crater were observed on 26 September, and tephra deposits on the E edge of the crater were noted. On 27 September incandescence from the lava lake were reflected in the cloud cover above.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI)

1 June 2011            Back to Top

On 31 May brief emissions of gas and steam with possible light ash from Villarrica was observed through the OVDAS web camera.

Sources: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

2 February 2011            Back to Top

Based on web camera views, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 7 February diffuse gas-and-steam plumes rose from Villarrica and quickly dissipated.

Sources: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

27 October 2010            Back to Top

Based on Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) advisories and web camera views, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 1-2 November ash plumes from Villarrica rose to altitudes of 3.7-4.6 km (12,000-15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, E, and ESE. Ash was not detected on satellite imagery. On 2 November a steam-and-gas plume drifted NE.

Sources: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

20 October 2010            Back to Top

According to the Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), a series of images of Villarrica captured from a web camera on 24 October showed an ash cloud rising from the crater.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI)

13 October 2010            Back to Top

According to the Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), a small ash cloud was observed rising from Villarrica on 10 October and again on 16 October.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI)

1 September 2010            Back to Top

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 4 September a diffuse ash plume from Villarrica, possibly containing steam and gas, drifted NE.

Sources: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

12 May 2010            Back to Top

On 12 May, OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported that a slight increase in activity from Villarrica during April led to a change in the Alert Level from Green Level 1 to Green Level 2. April's activity was characterized by increased seismicity, a rise in the lava lake level, more vigorous fumarolic activity, and more frequent incandescence at night. According to the Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI), the spattering lava lake was about 100 m below the crater rim on 10 May.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI) , Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

28 April 2010            Back to Top

OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported that during February incandescence from Villarrica was seen at night through web cameras. The report reiterated that incandescence was typical; the Alert level remained at Green, Level 1. Video and photographs taken during 24-25 April, and posted on the Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI) website, showed Strombolian activity in the crater. Bursts of lava ejected from an unseen source did not rise above the crater rim. Gas plumes rose from the crater.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI) , Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

10 March 2010            Back to Top

Based on web camera views, the Buenos Aires VAAC indicated that on 11 March a diffuse gas-and-ash plume from Villarrica drifted near the crater. Ash was not detected on satellite imagery. That same day, SERNAGEOMIN reported that, during an overflight, scientists saw a typical-looking gas plume drifting SW and tephra deposits on the flanks.

Sources: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) , Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

22 October 2008            Back to Top

SERNAGEOMIN reported that on 26 October three gray plumes with little ash content were emitted from Villarrica and rose to an altitude of 3.2 km (10,500 ft) a.s.l. The plumes quickly dispersed to the E. About 20 minutes later a darker gray plume rose to an altitude of 3.3 km (10,800 ft) a.s.l. Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI) reported that the latter plume deposited a thin layer of tephra several kilometers in length on the E flank.

Sources: Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Villarrica (POVI) , Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

13 April 2005            Back to Top

According to a news report, the Oficina Nacional de Emergencia reported that unusual seismicity was recorded at Villarrica during early April. Fresh ash deposits were seen outside of the volcano's crater. Visitors were banned from climbing the volcano.

Sources: El Mercurio

30 March 2005            Back to Top

During 29 March to 3 April, the lava lake inside Villarrica's crater remained active, with Strombolian explosions occurring. Some gas explosions were observed to hurl volcanic bombs as far as ~300 m.

Sources: Villarrica Volcano Visual Surveillance Project

16 October 2002            Back to Top

During visits to Villarrica's summit in September observers saw incandescence until the 28th. On the 28th deep sounds emanated from the volcano every 1-2 minutes and lapilli deposits were seen on the crater's edges. On 16 October incandescence was not visible and strong, deep noises were heard every 7-10 minutes.

Sources: Villarrica Volcano Visual Surveillance Project

10 April 2002            Back to Top

Observations of Villarrica on 9 April revealed that no incandescence or explosive noises occurred in the volcano's crater. A lava lake, whose surface was 200 m below the crater rim, was last seen at the volcano on 19 January. At that time explosions at Villarrica occurred every 5-10 minutes.

Sources: Villarrica Volcano Visual Surveillance Project

22 August 2001            Back to Top

On 9, 16, 17, and 21 August volcanic ballistic clasts were observed falling near the WSW edge of the crater. In addition, observations of the volcano on 22 August revealed that the lava lake had risen 40 m since 9 August.

Sources: Villarrica Volcano Visual Surveillance Project

8 August 2001            Back to Top

Volcanic activity at Villarrica was at relatively normal levels as of 9 August. The amount of incandescent lava decreased in comparison to the amount observed during 19 and 22 July. Strong degassing occurred and ejections of ash, lapilli, and volcanic bombs landed on the W to SW edge of the crater.

Sources: Villarrica Volcano Visual Surveillance Project

Below is a summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

The following references are the sources used for data regarding this volcano. References are linked directly to our volcano data file. Discussion of another volcano or eruption (sometimes far from the one that is the subject of the manuscript) may produce a citation that is not at all apparent from the title. Additional discussion of data sources can be found under Volcano Data Criteria.

Casertano L, 1963a. Chilean Continent. {Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields}, Rome: IAVCEI, 15: 1-55

Castruccio A, Clavero J, Rivera A, 2010. Comparative study of lahars generated by the 1961 and 1971 eruptions of Calbuco and Villarrica volcanoes, Southern Andes of Chile. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 190: 297-311

Dzierma Y, Wehrmann H, 2010. Eruption time series statistically examined: Probabilities of future eruptions at Villarrica and Llaima Volcanoes, Southern Volcanic Zone, Chile. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 193: 82-92

Gonzalez-Ferran O, 1995. {Volcanes de Chile}. Santiago: Instituto Geografico Militar, 635 p

Hickey-Vargas R, Moreno H, Lopez-Escobar L, Frey F A, 1989. Geochemical variations in Andean basaltic and silicic lavas from the Villarrica-Lanin volcanic chain (39.5° S): an evaluation of source heterogeneity, fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation. {Contr Mineral Petr}, 103: 361-386

IAVCEI, 1973-80. Post-Miocene Volcanoes of the World. {IAVCEI Data Sheets, Rome: Internatl Assoc Volc Chemistry Earth's Interior}.

Lara L E, Clavero J (eds), 2004. Villarrica volcano (39.5° S), Southern Andes, Chile. {Servicio Geol Nac Argentina Bol}, 61: 1-66

Moreno H, 1974. Airplane flight over active volcanoes of central-south Chile. {Internatl Symp Volc Andean & Antarctic Volc Problems Guidebook}, Excur D-3, 56 p

Moreno H, 1993. Volcan Villarica, geologia y evaluacion del riesgo volcanico, regiones IX y X, 39°25' S. {Serv Nac Geol Min Chile}, 1:50,000 geol map and 112 p text

Moreno H, Naranjo J A, 1991. The southern Andes volcanoes (33°-41° 30' S), Chile. {6th Geol Cong Chile, Excur PC-3}, 26 p

Ortiz R, Moreno H, Garcia A, Fuentealba G, Astiz M, Pena P, Sanchez N, Tarraga M, 2003. Villarrica volcano (Chile): characteristics of the volcanic tremor and forecasting of small explosions by means of a material failure method. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 128: 247-259

Riffo P, Fuentealba G, Urra L H, 1987. Sintesis historica de als erupciones del Volcan Villarrica, Chile. {Bol Vulc Univ Nac Costa Rica}, 18: 8-11

Silva Parejas C, Druitt T H, Robin C, Moreno H, Naranjo J-A, 2010. The Holocene Pucon erupiton of Volcan Villarrica, Chile: deposit architecture and eruption chronology. {Bull Volc}, 72: 677-692

Witter J B, Kress V C, Delmelle P, Stix J, 2004. Volatile degassing, petrology, and magma dynamics of the Villarica lava lake, southern Chile. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 134: 303-337

Glacier-clad Villarrica, one of Chile's most active volcanoes, rises above the lake and town of the same name. It is the westernmost of three large stratovolcanoes that trend perpendicular to the Andean chain. A 6-km wide caldera formed during the late Pleistocene. A 2-km-wide caldera that formed about 3500 years ago is located at the base of the presently active, dominantly basaltic to basaltic-andesitic cone at the NW margin of the Pleistocene caldera. More than 30 scoria cones and fissure vents dot Villarrica's flanks. Plinian eruptions and pyroclastic flows that have extended up to 20 km from the volcano have been produced during the Holocene. Lava flows up to 18 km long have issued from summit and flank vents. Historical eruptions, documented since 1558, have consisted largely of mild-to-moderate explosive activity with occasional lava effusion. Glaciers cover 40 sq km of the volcano, and lahars have damaged towns on its flanks.