Calbuco (volcano) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calbuco |
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Calbuco viewed from the north alongside Road 225 on the shores of Llanquihue Lake. (February 11, 2010)
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,015 m (6,611 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,946 m (6,385 ft) |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Geography | |
 Calbuco
Location in Chile
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| Location | Los Lagos, Chile |
| Parent range | Andes |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Pleistocene |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Volcanic arc/belt | South Volcanic Zone |
| Last eruption | April 2015 |
Calbuco is a tall stratovolcano in southern Chile. It stands southeast of Llanquihue Lake and northwest of Chapo Lake. This volcano is in the Los Lagos Region, near the cities of Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt.
Calbuco is about 2,015 meters (6,611 feet) high. The volcano and the land around it are part of the Llanquihue National Reserve. This means the area is protected.
Its most recent big eruption happened on April 22–23, 2015. There was little warning before it exploded. A smaller eruption followed on April 30. This was the first time Calbuco had erupted since 1972.
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Where is Calbuco Located?
Calbuco volcano is partly in the Puerto Varas area and partly in the Puerto Montt area. It is about 49 kilometers (30 miles) from Puerto Varas city. It is also about 69 kilometers (43 miles) from Puerto Montt.
What Does the Name Calbuco Mean?
The name "Calbuco" likely comes from the Mapuche language. "Kallfü" means "blue" and "ko" means "water." So, the name means "blue water." The volcano shares its name with Calbuco Island and the city of Calbuco, but the volcano is not located in that city.
Understanding Calbuco's Geology
Calbuco is known as a very explosive andesite volcano. This means its lava often contains a lot of silica, which is a type of silicon dioxide (SiO2). About 55% to 60% of its lava is silica.
The volcano is long and narrow, stretching from southwest to northeast. At its top, it has a wide crater, about 400 to 500 meters across. Long ago, during the late Pleistocene period, part of the volcano collapsed. This caused a huge landslide of rock and debris that reached Llanquihue Lake.
History of Volcanic Activity
Calbuco has erupted many times throughout history. Scientists have confirmed 36 eruptions since the last ice age ended. Thirteen of these eruptions have been recorded by people.
In the 20th century, Calbuco erupted in these years:
- 1906
- 1907
- 1909
- 1911
- 1917
- 1929
- 1932
- 1945
- 1961
- 1972
A series of three eruptions happened from April 22 to April 30, 2015.
Major Eruptions in the Past
The eruption of Calbuco between 1893 and 1895 was one of the biggest in southern Chile. It threw rocks and ash up to eight kilometers away. Hot mudflows, called lahars, also came down the volcano. This eruption made life hard for German settlers near eastern Llanquihue Lake. Their potato fields, cattle, and beekeeping were all affected. Many settlers had to move their cattle away. They even asked the government to help them move to a new place.
In April 1917, there were strong explosions. A lava dome formed inside the crater. Hot mudflows also came down the volcano. Another short, explosive eruption happened in January 1929. This eruption included a fast-moving mix of hot gas and ash, called a pyroclastic flow, and a flow of lava.
The big eruption in 1961 sent ash columns 12 to 15 kilometers (7 to 9 miles) high. The ash clouds mostly spread to the southeast. Two flows of lava also came out of the volcano. There was a small, four-hour eruption on August 26, 1972. On August 12, 1996, scientists saw strong steam and gas coming from the main crater.
The 2015 Eruption
The most recent eruption happened in April 2015. On April 22, the volcano suddenly erupted with very little warning. It sent a huge column of ash high into the sky. Another eruption happened early on April 23. A smaller eruption took place on April 30.
These eruptions were rated as a 4 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. This index measures how powerful volcanic eruptions are. By August 18, 2015, the volcano was back to its lowest alert level. The ash from the eruption spread nutrients into the sea. Some scientists believe this might have helped cause a large growth of algae in the ocean in 2016.
See also
In Spanish: Volcán Calbuco para niños
- List of volcanoes in Chile
- List of Ultras of South America
Gallery
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Calbuco viewed from the north alongside Road 225 on the shores of Llanquihue Lake (February 11, 2010).
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From Osorno volcano (July 28, 2006).
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View of the eruption column of Calbuco Volcano from Puerto Varas, Chile, on April 22, 2015.
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Picture taken with VIIRS, infrared, April 23, 2015.
