Aucanquilcha is a massive stratovolcano located in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile, just west of the border with Bolivia and within the Alto Loa National Reserve. Part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes, the stratovolcano has the form of a ridge with a maximum height of 6,176 metres (20,262 ft). The volcano is embedded in a larger cluster of volcanoes known as the Aucanquilcha cluster. This cluster of volcanoes was formed in stages over eleven million years of activity with varying magma output, including lava domes and lava flows. Aucanquilcha volcano proper is formed from four units that erupted between 1.04–0.23 million years ago. During the ice ages, both the principal Aucanquilcha complex and the other volcanoes of the cluster were subject to glaciation, resulting in the formation of moraines and cirques.
The cluster has generated lava ranging in composition from andesite to dacite, with the main volcano being exclusively of dacitic composition. Systematic variations in temperature, crystal and biotite content have been recorded during the evolution of the cluster.
At Aucanquilcha volcano there is some fumarolic activity, and sulfur deposits are found at the summit. Several sulfur mines lie in the complex. One mine at an altitude of 5,950 metres (19,520 ft) was opened in 1913 and remained in use from 1950 to 1992. It was the world's highest mine during that period. Originally, sulfur obtained at the mine was transported down with llamas. Subsequently, an aerial cableway was employed to transport the sulfur to the town of Amincha. To bring the sulfur down, a road network to the summit was constructed in 1972, although it is now impassable.
In 1986, four men were reported to be living at an altitude of 5,900 metres (19,400 ft), making them the highest permanent residents on Earth.
^Cite error: The named reference KullGrosjean2000 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Aucanquilcha". Andes Specialists. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
^Cite error: The named reference WörnerMoorbath1994 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^(in Spanish) Cerro Aucanquilcha
^Cite error: The named reference KlemettiGrunder2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
Aucanquilcha is a massive stratovolcano located in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile, just west of the border with Bolivia and within the Alto Loa...
four-wheeled vehicle. by road (dead end) is on a mining road to the summit of Aucanquilcha in Chile, which reaches an elevation of 6,176 m (20,262 ft). It was once...
centre Pular 6,233 20,449 Chile Cerro Solo 6,190 20,308 Argentina/Chile Aucanquilcha 6,176 20,262 Chile San Pedro 6,145 20,161 Chile Sierra Nevada 6,127 20...
volcanically pre-formed cirques also developed. Cerro Chela is located south of Aucanquilcha, from which it is separated by the Portezuelo Puquíos. It forms a lineament...
W.; Grunder, Anita L. (24 July 2007). "Volcanic evolution of Volcán Aucanquilcha: a long-lived dacite volcano in the Central Andes of northern Chile"...
National Geographic Society: 422–460. (includes description and photos of Aucanquilcha summit road and mine) D. Miller, Ronald (2014). Miller's Anesthesia....
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