Cerro Araral is an
extinct volcano[3] located in the
Andes on the border between
Chile and
Bolivia in the
Potosí Department and in the
Antofagasta Region. It has a height of 5647 metres, rising over a base of 3900 metres and covers an area of 109.4 square kilometres (42.2 sq mi). The edifice has a volume of 43.4 cubic kilometres (10.4 cu mi), down from 47.2 cubic kilometres (11.3 cu mi) due to
erosion. Based on the erosion rate, the volcano is 1.9[1]-2.75 and forms an alignment with
Cerro Ascotan. Its formation may be linked to the
Altiplano-Puna Magma Body,[4] which appear to have contributed to part of Araral's magmas.[3] The modern
snowline on the mountain lies at more than 5,700 metres (18,700 ft) altitude.[5] There are
archeological sites at its base and on its flanks.[6] The volcanism is at first
andesitic and later becomes intermediary between
andesite and
basalt,[7] with
olivine,
plagioclase and
pyroxene.[4]
^
abKarátson, D.; Telbisz, T.; Wörner, G. (February 2012). "Erosion rates and erosion patterns of Neogene to Quaternary stratovolcanoes in the Western Cordillera of the Central Andes: An SRTM DEM based analysis". Geomorphology. 139–140: 122–135.
Bibcode:
2012Geomo.139..122K.
doi:
10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.10.010.