| Llaima | |
|---|---|
| Yaima | |
 The snowy cone of Llaima volcano (2018) | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,125 m (10,253 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 1,819 m (5,968 ft)[1] |
| Listing | Region high point Ultra |
| Coordinates | 38°41′45″S71°43′54″W / 38.69583°S 71.73167°W /-38.69583; -71.73167[1] |
| Geography | |
  Llaima Location in Chile | |
| Location | Melipeuco andVilcún,Cautín Province,La Araucanía Region,Chile |
| Parent range | Andes |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 2008 to 2009 |
TheLlaima Volcano is one of the largest and most active volcanoes inChile. It is situated 82 km East ofTemuco and 663 km South ofSantiago, within the borders ofConguillío National Park.
The top of Llaima consists of two summits; the lower of the two,Pichillaima, is about 2,920 m (9,580 ft) high and is significantly less prominent than the higher northern summit.[2]
The average elevation of the terrain around Llaima is about 740 m asl.[2]
The volcano summit is located 10 km West South West ofConguillío Lake. Its slopes are drained by the rivers Captrén,Quepe andTrufultruful.[2] The former ones are tributaries ofCautín River and the latter is affluent ofAllipén River.
Llaima is one of Chile's most active volcanoes and has frequent but moderate eruptions.[3] Llaima's activity has been documented since the 17th century, and consists of several separate episodes of moderate explosive eruptions with occasional lava flows.[4] A 1640 eruption is thought to have contributed to a pause in theArauco War between the Spanish andMapuches established at theParliament of Quillín in 1641.[5] Possibly Mapuches interpreted the eruption as a signal sent from spirits known aspillanes.[5]
An 1874–76 eruption caused variouslava flows,landslides,lahars, and the fall ofvolcanic ash. After this eruption the volcano became known as Llaima or Yaima.[6] Prior to that it had been known as Chañel aMapuche word in reference to the pointy shape of its summit before the eruption.[6]
The last major eruption occurred in 1994.[7] An eruption on January 1, 2008, forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from nearby villages. A column of smoke approximately 3000 m high was observed. An amateur caught the early eruption phase on video.[8] Thevolcanic ash expelled by Llaima travelled east over the Andes intoArgentina. Ash fall was recorded in the area ofZapala,Neuquén Province, and forced the cancellation of flights to and fromPresidente Perón Airport near thecity of Neuquén.[9] On July 2, 2008, another eruption resulted in evacuation of 40 people from a 15 km exclusion zone.[10]
An eruption occurred on April 5, 2009, with pyroclastic flows, ash and lava seen on the slopes.[citation needed]
For the 2010–30 period an eruption ofVolcanic Explosivity Index 2 or more is expected based on statistics.[3] As of 2020 such eruption has not happened. Research that models the internal architecture of the volcano indicate that Llaima has reached its maximum height and that any large eruption oflava will likely occur fromflank vents and not from the summit.[11]
The ski centerLas Araucarias lies on the volcano's western slopes. There are also some tours that go throughout the day.
