Villarrica

Villarrica, known in the native Mapudungun language as Ruka Pillañ (“House of the Great Spirit” or “House of the Demon”), is one of the most iconic and active volcanoes in South America. Located in the Southern Andes of Chile, near the resort town of Pucón, its perfect, snow-capped cone rises to 2,860 meters (9,380 feet) above sea level.

Unlike most volcanoes that sleep for centuries, Villarrica is in a state of near-constant activity. It is one of only a handful of volcanoes in the world known to host an active lava lake within its crater. This rare phenomenon allows visitors to peer over the rim and see the glowing, churning magma deep within the earth, making it a bucket-list destination for adventurers worldwide.

Geological Origins and Structure

Villarrica is a massive stratovolcano that forms part of the Southern Volcanic Zone of the Andes. It is located at the intersection of the massive Mocha-Villarrica Fault Zone, which has facilitated the rise of magma for hundreds of thousands of years.

Formation

The modern cone is relatively young, built upon the remains of two older calderas formed by massive collapses 100,000 and 3,700 years ago. The volcano is compositionally diverse, erupting basaltic-andesitic lava that ranges from fluid flows to explosive tephra.

The Lava Lake

The most defining geological feature is the open vent at the summit. Since its last major eruption in 1984-85, and again after 2015, an open lava lake has fluctuated in depth within the crater. This lake is fed by a continuous supply of gas-rich magma rising from deep within the crust. The level of the lake rises and falls like a barometer of the volcano’s internal pressure.

Eruptive History

Villarrica has a violent history, with over 50 recorded eruptions since the Spanish arrival in 1558.

The 2015 Eruption

In the early hours of March 3, 2015, Villarrica woke up with a roar. A violent Strombolian fountain of lava shot 1.5 kilometers into the night sky, visible for miles around.

• Evacuation: Over 3,000 people were evacuated from nearby towns as the government declared a “Red Alert.”
• Lahars: The heat of the eruption melted the summit glaciers, triggering rapidly moving lahars (volcanic mudflows) that choked rivers and damaged bridges.
• Aftermath: The eruption was short-lived but spectacular. It temporarily buried the lava lake, which slowly re-established itself in the following months.

Historical Catastrophes

• 1971: A tragic eruption melted copious amounts of ice, sending toxic lahars tearing through the Chaillupén and Turbio valleys. Dozens of people were killed, and agricultural settlements were wiped out.
• 1964: Another deadly lahar event destroyed the town of Coñaripe, killing 22 people.

These events serve as a grim reminder that the picturesque snow on the summit is also a loaded gun during an eruption.

Cultural Significance: Ruka Pillañ

For the Mapuche people, the volcano is sacred. As Ruka Pillañ, it is the home of a powerful Pillañ (spirit) that controls nature’s forces like thunder, fire, and volcanoes.

• Legend: In Mapuche mythology, the Pillañ is a benevolent but fierce spirit. Eruptions are often interpreted as signs of the spirit’s anger or a disruption in the natural order.
• Duality: The volcano represents a duality of destruction and creation. While it can destroy with fire, its ash fertilizes the land, and its slopes support the sacred Araucaria trees that provide the Mapuche with food (piñones).

Glaciovolcanism: Fire and Ice

Villarrica offers a classic example of glaciovolcanism.

• The Ice Cap: The volcano is covered by a permanent ice cap of about 30 square kilometers.
• Interaction: When lava erupts, it doesn’t just flow; it burrows under the ice. This creates “ice caves” and huge volumes of meltwater that can trigger sudden floods even without a full-scale eruption. The steam explosions resulting from lava hitting ice add an extra layer of danger to the summit area.

The Ironman 70.3

Pucón is known as the “Chilean Adventure Capital,” and Villarrica is its backdrop.

• The Race: The Ironman 70.3 Pucón is known as “The most beautiful race in the world.”
• The Route: Triathletes swim in Lake Villarrica, cycle towards the volcano base, and run through the town, all under the smoking watch of the Ruka Pillañ. The volcano’s mood is said to influence the race conditions, with ash sometimes dusting the competitors.

The Cheese Caves

Volcanic geology meets gastronomy.

• Lava Tubes: Some of the old lava tubes near the base are used by local cheesemakers.
• Maturation: The constant temperature and humidity inside the caves create the perfect environment for aging artisan cheeses (resembling French Roquefort), giving them a unique “volcanic” terroir.

Geothermal Potential

The heat beneath Villarrica is immense.

• Hot Springs: The region is dotted with natural hot springs (termas), such as Loz Geometricas, which are heated by the magmatic system.
• Energy: While currently used mainly for tourism, there is significant potential for geothermal energy extraction, though this is controversial due to the environmental impact on the national park and Mapuche lands.

Flora and Fauna: Villarrica National Park

The volcano is the centerpiece of Villarrica National Park, a protected area comprising 63,000 hectares of Valdivian temperate rainforest.

The Araucaria Forest

The lower slopes are home to ancient forests of Araucaria araucana (Monkey Puzzle Tree). These living fossils, with their distinct umbrella shapes and scale-like leaves, can live for over 1,000 years. They are adapted to survive volcanic fires with their thick, reptile-like bark.

• Coihue and Lenga: Alongside the Araucarias, forests of Coihue (Nothofagus dombeyi) and Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) cover the mountainsides, turning brilliant shades of red and orange in the autumn.

Wildlife

The park is a refuge for Andean wildlife.

• Mammals: The elusive Puma, the Andean Fox (Culpeo), and the tiny Pudú deer hide in the dense underbrush.
• Birds: The forest canopy echoes with the tapping of the Magellanic Woodpecker and the call of the Chucao Tapaculo. High above, Andean Condors patrol the thermal currents.

The Night Climb

For the truly adventurous, some guides offer night ascents.

• The Visuals: Climbing under the southern stars, with the red glow of the crater reflecting off the snow, is an otherworldly experience.
• The Danger: It requires higher skill, as the snow is icier and harder to grip with crampons.

Hydrology: The Source of Life

Villarrica is a giant water tower.

• River Source: It feeds the Trancura and Toltén rivers.
• Rafting: The Trancura River, fueled by glacial melt, offers some of the best white-water rafting in Chile (Class III and IV rapids). The rapids flow through canyons carved by ancient lava flows.

Volcanic Wines

The region is an emerging wine frontier.

• Volcanic Soil: Vineyards are being planted on the southern volcanic sands.
• Pinot Noir: The cool climate and mineral-rich drainage are producing exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, adding a new dimension to Chilean wine tourism.

Tourism and Activities

Villarrica is the adventure capital of the Chilean Lake District.

Climbing the Volcano

Ascending Villarrica is one of the most popular mountaineering activities in Chile.

• The Climb: Thousands of tourists attempt the summit every summer. Armed with ice axes and crampons, guided groups hike for 4-6 hours over glaciers and snowfields to reach the rim.
• The Reward: The view from the top is unparalleled. Hikers can look deep into the smoking crater to see the lava lake (if activity permits) and enjoy panoramic views of neighboring volcanoes like Llaima, Lanín, and Osorno.
• The Descent: Many tours offer the thrill of sliding down the snow on plastic sleds (poto-slide) for a rapid descent.

Ski Pucón

In winter, the lower slopes transform into a ski resort. Ski Pucón offers the unique experience of skiing on the flanks of an active volcano, with runs winding through lava channels and panoramic views of Lake Villarrica below.

The Volcanic Caves

Near the base, visitors can explore the Cuevas Volcánicas, a massive lava tube system formed by past eruptions. Guided tours take visitors deep underground to see stalactites of lava and learn about the volcano’s inner workings.

Monitoring and Safety

Due to its high risk, Villarrica is monitored 24/7 by OVDAS (Southern Andes Volcanological Observatory) and SERNAGEOMIN. A “Traffic Light” system regulates access.

• Green: Normal activity. Summit access usually open.
• Yellow: Unstable activity. Access restricted to a certain radius (e.g., 500m or 1km from the crater).
• Orange/Red: Eruption imminent or in progress. Total ban on climbing and potential evacuation of surrounding areas.

Note: Always check the current alert status in Pucón before booking a climb. The volcano is unpredictable, and safety zones are strictly enforced.

Technical Facts

• Elevation: 2,860 m (9,380 ft)
• Prominence: 1,575 m
• Location: 39.42°S 71.93°W
• Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
• Rock Type: Basalt / Basaltic Andesite
• Status: Active (Open Vent)
• Notable Feature: Permanent Lava Lake