Ecuador’s landscape is threaded with volcanic peaks that rise from the Andes and Galápagos, shaping ecosystems, communities, and travel routes. These mountains are active players in the country’s geology and daily life, from ash advisories to fertile soils that support local agriculture.
There are 20 Active Volcanoes in Ecuador, ranging from Alcedo to Wolf. For each entry, you’ll find below data organized with the columns Region,Coordinates (lat, lon),Elevation (m) — a concise way to compare location, position, and height — and below you’ll find details for every volcano listed.
How are Ecuador’s active volcanoes monitored for changes in activity?
Monitoring combines national agencies, seismic networks, gas measurements, and satellite imagery: the Instituto Geofísico (IG) and IGEPN track earthquakes, deformation, gas emissions, and thermal anomalies, issuing alerts when unrest rises. This multi-sensor approach gives officials and communities timely warnings and helps researchers interpret evolving risk.
Can I safely visit any of these active volcanoes, and what should I check first?
Safety depends on current activity and local rules: check the latest alerts from IG/IGEPN, respect closed zones and park regulations, hire experienced guides for trails, and avoid areas with ash, recent lava flows, or toxic gases. Local authorities and tour operators will have the most up-to-date guidance before you go.
Active Volcanoes in Ecuador
| Name | Region | Coordinates (lat, lon) | Elevation (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sangay | Morona Santiago, near Macas | -2.005, -78.341 | 5,230 |
| Reventador | Napo, near El Chaco | -0.077, -77.656 | 3,562 |
| Tungurahua | Tungurahua, near Baños | -1.467, -78.442 | 5,023 |
| Cotopaxi | Cotopaxi, near Latacunga | -0.684, -78.437 | 5,897 |
| Guagua Pichincha | Pichincha, near Quito | -0.171, -78.598 | 4,784 |
| Cayambe | Pichincha, near Cayambe | 0.029, -77.986 | 5,790 |
| Antisana | Napo, near Papallacta | -0.482, -78.141 | 5,758 |
| Chiles-Cerro Negro | Carchi, near Tufiño | 0.824, -77.935 | 4,723 |
| Quilotoa | Cotopaxi, near Zumbahua | -0.850, -78.900 | 3,914 |
| Sumaco | Napo, near Loreto | -0.530, -77.630 | 3,990 |
| Sincholagua | Pichincha, near Machachi | -0.540, -78.360 | 4,893 |
| Fernandina | Galápagos, Fernandina Island | -0.370, -91.550 | 1,476 |
| Sierra Negra | Galápagos, Isabela Island | -0.830, -91.170 | 1,124 |
| Wolf | Galápagos, Isabela Island | 0.020, -91.350 | 1,710 |
| Cerro Azul | Galápagos, Isabela Island | -0.920, -91.400 | 1,689 |
| Alcedo | Galápagos, Isabela Island | -0.430, -91.120 | 1,130 |
| Marchena | Galápagos, Marchena Island | 0.330, -90.470 | 343 |
| Santiago | Galápagos, Santiago Island | -0.220, -90.770 | 920 |
| Pinta | Galápagos, Pinta Island | 0.580, -90.750 | 777 |
| Darwin | Galápagos, Isabela Island | -0.180, -91.280 | 1,330 |
Images and Descriptions
Sangay
In a near-constant state of eruption since 1628, Sangay is one of South America’s most active volcanoes. Its remote location mitigates risk, but hazards include frequent ashfall that can affect distant cities and pyroclastic flows on its flanks.
Reventador
This volcano has been in continuous eruption since 2002. Located in the remote Amazon basin, its activity is characterized by explosions, lava flows, and ash plumes. Lahars (mudflows) pose a primary hazard to the region’s infrastructure, including oil pipelines.
Tungurahua
Known as the “Throat of Fire,” Tungurahua had a major eruptive period from 1999 to 2016. Its activity poses significant hazards like pyroclastic flows, lahars, and heavy ashfall to the tourist town of Baños located at its base.
Cotopaxi
One of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes due to its massive glacier cap and proximity to populated areas, including Quito. Its last eruption was in 2015. A major eruption could trigger devastating lahars, threatening hundreds of thousands of people.
Guagua Pichincha
Overlooking the capital city of Quito, its last eruption in 1999 covered the city in ash. While eruptions are infrequent, its proximity makes ashfall the primary hazard to the city’s 2 million residents and its international airport.
Cayambe
The only volcano on Earth whose summit is crossed by the equator and covered by a permanent ice cap. Last erupting in 1786, its main hazard is the potential for large-scale lahars from melting glaciers that could impact populated areas.
Antisana
A large, glacier-covered stratovolcano that last erupted in 1802. It is a vital water source for Quito. The primary volcanic hazard is from lahars that could be generated by the melting of its significant glaciers during an eruption.
Chiles-Cerro Negro
This volcanic complex on the Ecuador-Colombia border has no historical eruptions but has displayed significant seismic unrest since 2014. This activity indicates magma movement beneath the surface, posing a future risk of explosive eruptions and lahars.
Quilotoa
Famous for its stunning turquoise crater lake, Quilotoa’s last major eruption was around 1280 CE. Despite the age of its last eruption, ongoing geothermal and fumarolic activity classify it as active, with potential hazards from phreatic (steam-blast) eruptions.
Sumaco
An isolated jungle-clad volcano in the Amazon, Sumaco last erupted in 1895. It is known for its highly unusual alkaline lavas. Its extreme remoteness means its eruptions pose a very low risk to human populations, primarily affecting the surrounding forest.
Sincholagua
Located in Cotopaxi National Park, this deeply eroded volcano last had a confirmed eruption in 1877. It is considered a satellite of its much larger neighbor, Cotopaxi, and any future activity would likely be small, posing a localized ashfall hazard.
Fernandina
One of the world’s most active basaltic volcanoes, Fernandina last erupted in 2024. Located on an uninhabited island, its frequent and voluminous lava flows create a stark, primeval landscape and pose a threat to unique local wildlife, including marine iguanas.
Sierra Negra
Possessing one of the largest calderas of any Galápagos volcano, Sierra Negra last erupted in 2018. Its eruptions produce vast, fast-moving lava flows that can reach the sea. The caldera is a popular and dramatic hiking destination for tourists.
Wolf
The highest peak in the Galápagos Islands, Wolf volcano last erupted in 2022. It is located directly on the equator. Its eruptions are a direct threat to the world’s only population of critically endangered pink land iguanas living on its slopes.
Cerro Azul
This shield volcano on Isabela Island last erupted in 2008. It is one of the most active in the Galápagos, with frequent eruptions from fissures on its flanks that produce long lava flows, some of which have reached the ocean.
Alcedo
Home to the largest population of giant tortoises in the Galápagos, Alcedo last erupted in 1993. It is the only Galápagos volcano to have erupted rhyolite, a more viscous type of lava, and its caldera floor recently uplifted, indicating new magma below.
Marchena
Forming the entirety of Marchena Island, this shield volcano last erupted in 1991 from a fissure on its flank. The eruption produced a lava flow that reached the sea. The island is uninhabited and access is restricted by the National Park.
Santiago
Last erupting in 1906, Santiago is famous for its vast and dramatic pāhoehoe lava fields, particularly at Sullivan Bay. These well-preserved flows provide a unique glimpse into volcanic processes and are a popular visitor site for tourists.
Pinta
This volcano makes up Pinta Island, famously home to the giant tortoise Lonesome George. Its last eruption was in 1928 and was characterized by fissure-fed lava flows. Like other northern Galápagos volcanoes, it is very remote and rarely visited.
Darwin
Situated between the Wolf and Alcedo volcanoes on Isabela Island, Darwin last erupted in 1813. The eruption produced lava flows from its flanks that reached the sea. It has a distinctive steep-walled summit caldera, typical of Galápagos shield volcanoes.
