El Misti is a stratovolcano located in Peru, standing at an elevation of 5,793 meters within a subduction zone and continental crust tectonic setting. Maintained by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the official record documents 15 confirmed eruptions spanning from deep prehistory into the 20th century CE.
The earliest recorded eruption in the available official data dates back to 7190 BCE. Over subsequent millennia, activity has been documented through a combination of calibrated radiocarbon isotopic evidence and direct historical observations. The largest recorded eruption magnitude in the structured record reached a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 4.0, which occurred during the eruption starting around 80 BCE.
Historical Eruption Distribution
The confirmed eruptions span multiple centuries across the Holocene epoch. Based on the complete collection of 15 confirmed events, activity is distributed across the following centuries and periods:
- 72nd century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption (starting around 7190 BCE)
- 54th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 41st century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 36th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 23rd century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption (starting around 2230 BCE)
- 4th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 1st century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption (starting around 80 BCE, VEI 4.0)
- 1st century CE: 1 confirmed eruption (starting around 0090 CE)
- 8th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 14th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 15th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 17th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 18th century CE: 2 confirmed eruptions
- 20th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
Latest Recorded Activity
The latest recorded eruption in the structured database began on July 2, 1985, carrying a documented VEI of 1.0 based on reported observations. The profile's last known eruption year is recorded as 1985, marking a historical record of activity distinct from present-day monitoring or safety forecasts.
Frequently asked questions
How many eruptions has El Misti recorded?
El Misti has 15 confirmed eruptions documented in the official Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program record.
When was El Misti's earliest recorded eruption?
The earliest recorded eruption in the official record began around 7190 BCE.
When was El Misti's latest recorded eruption?
The latest recorded eruption in the database started on July 2, 1985.
What is the largest recorded VEI for El Misti?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for El Misti is 4.0, associated with the eruption starting around 80 BCE.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.