Alumbrera Volcano

Information

It is an inactive cone-shaped volcano composed mainly of scoria, situated in the Puna of the province of Catamarca in Argentina.

It can be seen on Provincial Route 43, about 11 km before reaching Antofagasta de la Sierra. It is striking for its perfectly conical shape and its blackish colour. It is located in the middle of an arid high altitude environment, where the silhouette of this volcano stands out against the sky and the Puna desert landscape. It is a natural area where wild species such as vicunas and lesser rheas can often be spotted.

It should not to be confused with the nearby Antofagasta volcano: one way to distinguish them is that Antofagasta has a white line of a trail along one of its slopes and lies closer to the road, while Alumbrera has a more uniform surface. There is a stretch of the road from where you have a view of both volcanoes at the same time.

It is undoubtedly a captivating attraction, as it is rare to find places where visitors can fully appreciate a volcano in such a stunning and unspoiled natural setting.