Guagua Pichincha is a stratovolcano located in Ecuador, standing at an elevation of 4,784 meters within a subduction zone and continental crust tectonic setting. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the volcano has a total of 33 confirmed eruptions spanning from deep prehistory up to the 21st century CE. The largest recorded eruption in the official record reached a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 5.0.
Overview of Eruption History and Timeline
The confirmed eruption record for Guagua Pichincha extends across multiple millennia, utilizing various evidence methods ranging from uncalibrated and calibrated radiocarbon dating for ancient events to direct historical observations for later activity. The earliest recorded event in the collection dates back to 7000 BCE with a start year uncertainty marker.
Throughout the timeline, activity levels and explosivity have varied significantly. Out of the 33 confirmed eruptions in the database, 22 include specific Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) observations. The historical timeline includes notable explosive phases, such as an eruption in the 10th century CE (specifically starting around 0930 CE with a 100-year uncertainty) that registered a VEI of 5.0, as well as an observed eruption spanning from October 27, 1660, to November 28, 1660, which reached a VEI of 4.0.
Recent Activity
The latest confirmed eruption sequence in the official record began on October 11, 2002, and concluded on December 7, 2002, registering a VEI of 1.0 based on reported observations. The profile's last known eruption year is recorded as 2002.
Frequently asked questions
What type of volcano is Guagua Pichincha and where is it located?
Guagua Pichincha is a stratovolcano located in Ecuador.
How many confirmed eruptions are recorded for Guagua Pichincha?
The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program record contains 33 confirmed eruptions for Guagua Pichincha.
What was the largest recorded VEI for Guagua Pichincha?
The largest recorded eruption in the official record reached a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 5.0.
When was the most recent eruption of Guagua Pichincha?
The latest recorded eruption in the official source took place between October 11, 2002, and December 7, 2002.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.