Llaima, Stratovolcano in Araucanía Region, Chile

Llaima is a stratovolcano in Conguillío National Park, Araucanía Region, Chile, reaching 3,195 m with a prominence of 1,819 m. Its two summits are separated by a roughly 1 km saddle: the higher northern cone holds a 350 m wide crater with a constant fumarole, while the southern Pichillaima reaches 2,920 m. Glaciers cover the western and eastern flanks, and about 40 scoria cones line a curved 29 km alignment to the northeast.

The first documented eruption happened in 1640 and led to a temporary halt in the Arauco War between Spanish forces and the Mapuche. Later, scientists recorded over 40 eruption periods extending into the 21st century.

The name Llaima comes from Mapudungun and means "ditch" or "drain", referring to the large fissure that opened near the crater in the 1873 eruption. Before that the Mapuche called the peak Chañel, "finger", for its pointed summit. A 1640 eruption is thought to have prompted the pause in the Arauco War agreed at the Parliament of Quillín in 1641, possibly read by the Mapuche as a sign from the pillanes.

The Las Araucarias ski area on the western slopes offers winter sports facilities, while scientific stations monitor volcanic activity throughout the year. Visitors should pay attention to weather conditions, as they can change rapidly at higher elevations.

The volcanic structure counts over 40 recorded eruption periods and ranks among the most active geological formations in South America. Some recent eruptions have produced visible lava flows that remain recognizable on the slopes today.