Lonquimay, Stratovolcano in La Araucanía Region, Chile

Lonquimay is a cone-shaped volcano in the Andes with a height of 2,865 meters and a summit crater spanning roughly 800 meters across. The mountain stands in La Araucanía and defines the landscape with its distinctive form.

Lonquimay has three recorded eruptions: in 1887, in January 1933 (parallel to an eruption of Llaima), and on 25 December 1988, when a flank vent opened and produced the crater later named Navidad after the date. That eruption lasted 13 months into early 1990, reached VEI 3, emitted mostly andesite lava that ran 10.2 km, forced the evacuation of over 2,000 people and killed one person. It is now monitored from Temuco.

The name Lonquimay comes from Mapudungun and means "thick forest", referring to the araucaria, hualle, lenga and coigüe woods on its slopes. The volcano lies between the Malalcahuello and Nalcas national reserves, Mapuche territory where these forests are still used. Its 1988 vent is called Cráter Navidad after the Christmas Day eruption.

The mountain is frequently snow-covered during winter months, making activities like skiing possible from June through September. Visitors should bring appropriate clothing and gear depending on the season, as conditions can change quickly.

Future volcanic activity will likely emerge from flanks on the sides of the mountain rather than from the summit. This happens because the volcano has reached its maximum height and pressure builds differently inside.