Lonquimay (volcano) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lonquimay |
|
|---|---|
Lonquimay in winter.
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,865 m (9,400 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Lonquimay
Location in Chile
|
|
| Parent range | Andes |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 1988 to 1990 |
Lonquimay Volcano is a tall, cone-shaped stratovolcano in Chile. It's a relatively young volcano, formed mostly in the last 11,700 years. This volcano is made up of different kinds of rock, like andesite, basalt, and dacite. You can find Lonquimay in the La Araucanía Region of Chile. It's located southeast of the Tolhuaca volcano, and its neighbors to the south are Sierra Nevada and Llaima. Lonquimay is often covered in snow and is part of the protected area called Malalcahuello-Nalcas.
Lonquimay's Last Eruption
The last time Lonquimay Volcano erupted was on December 25, 1988. Because it started on Christmas Day, people nicknamed this eruption "Navidad," which means Christmas in Spanish. The eruption lasted for 13 months, finally ending in 1990.
This eruption was quite powerful, rated as a 3 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. This means it sent ash and gas high into the sky and caused significant damage nearby. The lava came out from a crack on the side of the volcano, not from the very top. This is called a "flank vent." Before the eruption, there were many small earthquakes, which showed that the volcano was waking up.
Most of the lava that flowed out was a type called andesite. Over time, the amount of lava coming out slowed down. But by the end of the eruption, the lava flow had stretched out for about 10.2 kilometers (about 6.3 miles).
Impact of the Eruption
Even though the eruption was large, only one person died. However, it was serious enough that more than 2,000 people had to leave their homes for safety. The eruption also caused a lot of damage to farms and animals in the areas around the volcano.
Scientists have studied the inside of Lonquimay Volcano. Their research suggests that the volcano has reached its maximum height. This means that if Lonquimay erupts again with a lot of lava, it will probably come from new openings on its sides (flank vents) rather than from the very top.
See also
- List of volcanoes in Chile
- Volcanism of Chile
