Irruputuncu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Irruputuncu |
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| Iru Phutunqu, Iruputuncu, Irruputunco | |
 Irruputuncu
Location in Bolivia
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,163 m (16,939 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Bolivia, Potosí Department, Nor Lípez Province Chile, Tarapacá Region |
| Parent range | Andes, Cordillera Occidental |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Pleistocene-Holocene |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 1995 |
Irruputuncu is a volcano located on the border between Chile and Bolivia. It is a tall mountain, reaching about 5,163 meters (16,939 feet) high. At its top, Irruputuncu has two summit craters (bowl-shaped openings). The southern crater, which is about 200 meters (656 feet) wide, has active fumaroles. These are vents that release hot gases and steam.
The volcano also features different types of volcanic rock formations. These include lava flows (molten rock that flows down the volcano), block and ash flows (fast-moving mixtures of hot gas and rock), and several lava domes (mound-shaped structures made of thick, sticky lava). Irruputuncu is part of a large chain of volcanoes in the Andes mountains, known as the Central Volcanic Zone.
Irruputuncu has been active for a very long time. Major eruptions happened many thousands of years ago. More recently, in 1995 and 2003, scientists observed plumes (clouds of gas and ash) rising from the volcano. These plumes were likely caused by steam explosions. The volcano also experiences seismic activity (small earthquakes). Hot gases, mainly sulfur dioxide, are continuously released from its fumaroles. This has created sulfur deposits in the active crater.
Most volcanoes in the Central Volcanic Zone are in remote areas and are not closely watched. However, Irruputuncu is monitored by the Chilean SERNAGEOMIN geological service. Scientists have also explored the idea of using the volcano's heat to produce geothermal energy.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Irruputuncu comes from the Aymara language. Iru means "spiny Peruvian feather grass" and phutunqu means "a small vessel" or "a hole, pit, or crater." Other names for the volcano include Irruputunco and Iruputuncu.
Where is Irruputuncu Located?
The Andes Volcanic Belt
The Andes mountains are home to a long chain of volcanoes called the Andean Volcanic Belt. This belt stretches across South America. It forms because large pieces of the Earth's crust, called tectonic plates, are constantly moving. Specifically, the Nazca plate and the Antarctic plate are sliding underneath the South American Plate. When one plate slides under another, it's called subduction.
This process causes rocks deep underground to melt, creating magma. This magma then rises to the surface, forming volcanoes. The Andean Volcanic Belt has several active sections. Irruputuncu is in the Central Volcanic Zone (CVZ), which is known for its many active volcanoes.
Irruputuncu's Neighborhood
Irruputuncu is one of about 44 active or potentially active volcanoes in the Central Volcanic Zone. The thick continental crust in this area changes the magma as it rises. This creates specific types of volcanic rocks like andesites, dacites, and rhyolites.
The dry climate of the Andes helps to preserve the shapes of these volcanoes. Irruputuncu is part of a group of volcanoes that seem to line up in an oval shape. This might be because of a large, hidden rock formation deep inside the Earth. Older volcanoes are also found nearby.
How Irruputuncu Was Formed
Irruputuncu sits on top of layers of older volcanic ash and rock called ignimbrites. These layers were formed by massive eruptions millions of years ago. The volcano itself is relatively small, but it has a volume of about 4 cubic kilometers (1 cubic mile).
Irruputuncu has two main craters. The younger, southwestern crater is about 200 meters (656 feet) wide and is where the hot gases (fumaroles) come out. Lava flows from this crater have created short, thick lava flows and domes. The volcano's shape is very well preserved, meaning it hasn't been heavily eroded by glaciers or weather.
The volcano has also experienced a "flank collapse." This is when a side of the volcano breaks off and slides down. This happened about 140,000 years ago, creating two main parts of the volcano: Irruputuncu I (older) and Irruputuncu II (younger). Later eruptions have filled in the collapsed area.
Hot Gases and Sulfur Deposits
Irruputuncu is known for its strong fumarolic activity. These hot gas vents are visible from many kilometers away. The gases can reach temperatures between 83 and 240 degrees Celsius (181 and 464 degrees Fahrenheit). They are mostly made of sulfur dioxide, with smaller amounts of other gases like hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen chloride.
The continuous release of these gases has left bright yellow sulfur deposits around the active crater. These deposits cover an area of about 0.011 square kilometers (0.004 square miles). Sometimes, the sulfur even forms small flows that look like slow-moving lava. The colors of these deposits can change depending on their temperature.
What is Irruputuncu Made Of?
The rocks that make up Irruputuncu are mainly andesite and dacite. These are common types of volcanic rock. They contain minerals like hornblende and pyroxene. The older ignimbrite layers around the volcano are made of pumice-rich rock.
The gases coming out of Irruputuncu's fumaroles are mostly water vapor (96-98%). Scientists study the water and gas to understand where they come from. They've found that the water is a mix of rainwater and water from the magma deep inside the volcano. The gases also contain elements like helium and carbon dioxide, which come from the magma and from rocks in the Earth's crust.
Irruputuncu's Eruptive History
The oldest rocks directly linked to Irruputuncu were formed about 258,000 years ago. A large block and ash flow occurred between 55,900 and 140,000 years ago. The lava flows from the main crater are about 55,900 years old.
It's not entirely clear when Irruputuncu has erupted in recent history. There were unconfirmed reports of activity in 1960 and 1989. However, scientists definitely observed plumes of gas and ash on November 26, 1995, and September 1, 2003. These plumes reached about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) high. They were likely caused by steam explosions when magma heated groundwater.
The volcano also experiences ongoing seismic activity (small earthquakes). These quakes are recorded regularly, though some might be from nearby mining activities.
Volcano Safety and Energy
Most volcanoes in the Central Volcanic Zone are in very remote areas. However, Irruputuncu is close to a road and a large mining operation called the Collahuasi mine. This means that future eruptions could affect these areas.
Because of the 1995 eruption, scientists pay more attention to the dangers of volcanoes in this region. In Chile, Irruputuncu is watched by SERNAGEOMIN. They regularly check the volcano's status and have created hazard maps. These maps show which areas would be most affected by different types of eruptions, such as lava flows or explosive eruptions. The western and northwestern sides of the volcano would likely be most at risk.
Scientists have also looked into using Irruputuncu as a source of geothermal energy. This means using the Earth's natural heat to create electricity. Studies at the base of the volcano found hot water, up to 220 degrees Celsius (428 degrees Fahrenheit), deep underground. This suggests it could be a good spot for a geothermal power plant.
Climate and Trees
Polylepis tarapacana trees grow on Irruputuncu. Scientists can study the tree rings of these trees to learn about past climate changes in the region. This includes understanding how the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (a major climate pattern) has affected the area over time.
See also
- Geology of Bolivia
- Geology of Chile
- List of volcanoes in Bolivia
- List of volcanoes in Chile
