Sacabaya facts for kids

Sacabaya (also called Tambo Quemado) is a special type of volcano in Bolivia. It is known as a pyroclastic shield. This volcano is found on the Altiplano, which is a high plateau. It is also close to the Rio Lauca.

Sacabaya Volcano

What is Sacabaya?

Sacabaya is a volcano made mostly of a rock called ignimbrite. This rock has formed a wide, flat shape, much like a shield. That is why it is called a "pyroclastic shield."

The top of the volcano has many openings, or vents. These vents have several craters that overlap each other. The whole area of vents is long and stretched out. The newest crater is at the southern end. Inside this crater, there is a lava dome. A lava dome is a round mound formed by slow-moving lava.

How Big is Sacabaya?

Sacabaya is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) wide. It rises about 360 meters (1,180 feet) from its base to its top. The volcano's surface is covered with material from past explosions.

The very top of Sacabaya has a line of several pit craters. These craters run from north to south. Each pit crater is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) wide. One of these craters also holds a lava dome. Wind has carried away some of the material from the volcano.

Is Sacabaya Active?

Scientists think Sacabaya might have been active during the Holocene period. The Holocene is the current geological age, which started about 11,700 years ago.

Today, Sacabaya shows signs of activity. It has fumaroles. Fumaroles are vents that release steam and gases from inside the Earth. This means the volcano is still active, even if it's not erupting with lava.

See also

• List of volcanoes in Bolivia
• In Spanish: Sacabaya para niños