The Sabancaya volcano, is located in the province of Caylloma, is the second most active of the seven found in the south of Peru. The other six are the Ubinas and Ticsani (Moquegua), Huaynaputina, Tutupaca, Yucamane (Tacna) and Misti (Arequipa).

The Sabancaya is considered a young volcano, which together with the Ampato form a volcanic complex. Its first eruption was recorded 10,000 years ago, followed by 1460, 1752 and 1784. The most recent ones occurred in 1988 and 1998.

On November 6, 2016, it was reactivated, and the same one that continues its eruptive process to date, which is estimated to last several more years. Its last eruption lasted eight years (1990 – 1998).

It is currently on orange alert, that is, in eruptive activity with explosions, ash emission and possible lahar flows (huaicos), especially in the rainy season.

The main concern of the technical-scientific institutions, the authorities and the surrounding population is the emission of ashes, which in previous eruptions have caused damage to the health of the inhabitants, mortality in grazing cattle and damage to crop fields and water sources.

According to the hazard map of the Sabancaya volcano, prepared between 2013 and 2016 by the Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute (Ingemmet), it is estimated that more than 20,000 people would be affected by the emission of ash within a radius of more than 30 kilometers, this depending on the elevation of the ash columns; in addition to the strength and direction of the winds.

There are 14 districts of the province of Caylloma, located mostly in the Colca Valley, the most affected by the fall of ashes. Maca is the closest to Sabancaya, at 18 km; followed by the town center of Pinchollo in Cabanaconde (19 km), Lari (20 km), Madrigal (20 km), Achoma (21 km), Cabanaconde (22 km), Ichupampa (23 km), Tapay (24 km), Yanque (26 km), Huambo (27 km), Huanca (27 km), Coporaque (28 km), Lluta (30 km) and Chivay (32 km).

Current Situation of Sabancaya

According to the technical-scientific institutions that permanently monitor this massif, including Ingemmet, they specify that an average of 30 explosions with constant ash emission are recorded per day, which in some cases exceed 4 kilometers above the crater.

The ashes are generally dispersed to the North, Northeast and Southeast, carrying in them different types of gases, which dissipate along the way. Earthquakes are also recorded, which can exceed 2000 per day.


Did you Know?

  • Sabancaya comes from the Quechua name “Sahuancqueya” which means volcano that ‘spits’.
  • Its crater rises above 5980 meters above sea level, which has a diameter of 300 meters. It is made up of two cones.
  • It is located 70 km from the city of Arequipa, in the Western Cordillera of the Southern Andes.
  • In all of Peru there are 412 volcanoes, of these 16 are active and potentially active.