Villarrica Volcano, Active stratovolcano in Araucanía Region, Chile.
Villarrica Volcano is an active stratovolcano in the Araucanía Region of southern Chile, rising 2,847 meters (9,340 feet) above sea level. Its summit holds a crater roughly 200 meters (650 feet) wide, from which gas and steam rise continuously.
The volcano formed roughly 650,000 years ago and has experienced 49 eruptions documented in geological records. The 1971 eruption discharged 30 million cubic meters of lava into nearby Lake Calafquén.
The Mapuche call this mountain Rucapillán, meaning House of the Spirit, and regard it as a sacred site in their spiritual life. The glow from the crater is visible at night from many surrounding villages, reminding residents of the power of nature.
The Chilean geological service operates a monitoring network of seismic, geodetic, and satellite instruments that provides activity data around the clock. Visitors should check official alert levels before attempting an ascent, as conditions can change quickly.
Inside the crater sits a lava lake that shifts its level depending on pressure and activity beneath the surface. This lake is among the few permanent lava lakes on Earth and offers a rare sight in volcano research.
Location: Araucanía Region
Location: Cautín Province
Location: Villarrica
Location: Pucón
Location: Panguipulli
Elevation above the sea: 2,850 m
Made from material: basalt
Website: http://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=357120
GPS coordinates: -39.42103,-71.93956
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:32
This collection brings together active volcanoes located on multiple continents, from Cotopaxi in the Ecuadorian Andes to Mount Fuji in Japan, including Vesuvius in Italy and Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Each site demonstrates different geological processes: stratovolcanoes like Mount Saint Helens and Etna...
Lanín
44.5 km
Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve
48.1 km
Mocho-Choshuenco
55.5 km
Villarrica National Park
23.7 km
Huerquehue National Park
39.8 km
Puerto Fuy
50.5 km
Liquiñe
36.3 km
Termas geométricas
10.6 km
Sollipulli
61.4 km
Ojos del Caburgua
21.1 km
Choshuenco
47.8 km
Quetrupillán
20.8 km
Casino de Pucón
16.7 km
Sitio de Villarrica
29.7 km
Huilo-Huilo Falls
48.1 km
Termas Huife
32.5 km
Estadio Municipal de Villarrica
28.3 km
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Villarrica
29.2 km
Tralcán
61.2 km
Huanquihue Group
60.2 km
Cerro Quinquilil
31.3 km
Mocho-Choshuenco National Reserve
57.7 km
Volcanic Caves Park
5.2 km
Category:Iglesia de San Sebastián, Curarrehue
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Capilla de San Conrado
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El León waterfall
15.4 km
La China waterfall
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Paseo de la Memoria Herida de Villarrica
29.9 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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