Ubinas is an active stratovolcano located in Peru, standing at an elevation of 5,608 meters within a subduction zone and continental crust tectonic setting. Official records from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program document a total of 25 confirmed eruptions spanning from prehistoric times to the 21st century.
Overview of Recorded Eruptions
The historical and prehistoric record for Ubinas includes 25 confirmed eruptions. The earliest recorded eruption in the dataset dates back to 8560 BCE (with a start year uncertainty of 300 years), determined via calibrated isotopic 14C evidence methods. Across the entire recorded timeline, the largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) reaches 5.0. Out of the 25 confirmed eruptions, 23 have recorded VEI observations.
Eruption Chronology by Century
Recorded eruptions at Ubinas are distributed across various centuries, combining prehistoric radiocarbon-dated events and historical observations:
- 86th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 69th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 11th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 16th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 17th century CE: 3 confirmed eruptions
- 18th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 19th century CE: 5 confirmed eruptions
- 20th century CE: 6 confirmed eruptions
- 21st century CE: 6 confirmed eruptions
Selected Historical and Recent Eruption Examples
The record of activity at Ubinas utilizes varying evidence methods, ranging from calibrated isotopic dating for ancient events to direct human observation for modern centuries:
- 8560 BCE: An early confirmed eruption identified via calibrated isotopic 14C evidence.
- 1082 CE: A large historical eruption reaching a VEI of 5.0, with a start year uncertainty of 82 years.
- 1677 CE: A reported observational eruption with a VEI of 3.0.
- 1869 CE: An observational eruption starting on October 16, 1869, with a VEI of 2.0.
- 2024 CE: A confirmed eruption starting on May 6, 2024, and ending on June 11, 2024, with a VEI of 2.0.
Frequently asked questions
How many eruptions has Ubinas had?
The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program records 25 confirmed eruptions for Ubinas.
When was the earliest recorded eruption at Ubinas?
The earliest recorded eruption in the dataset dates to 8560 BCE, with a start year uncertainty of 300 years.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Ubinas?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Ubinas is 5.0, associated with an eruption starting around 1082 CE.
What type of volcano is Ubinas and where is it located?
Ubinas is a stratovolcano located in Peru at an elevation of 5,608 meters.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.