| Maipo Volcano, Chile: The high peaks of the Andes form the
backbone of South America and the political border between Chile and
Argentina. Formed from the subduction of the Nazca Plate under the
South American Plate, the south-central Andes also includes several
major volcanoes. One of the most active border volcanoes is Volcan
Maipo, located just southeast of Santiago, Chile. The volcano’s
summit (5264m) rests in the large Diamante Caldera, and is defined by
a radial drainage pattern highlighted by snow cover (center right of
image). Lava flows from an 1826 eruption blocked drainage within the
caldera, forming Lake Diamante. The lake is a popular tourist
destination. Maipo’s last significant eruption was in 1908. Imagery
of the region from the International Space Station includes seasonal
observations—this image shows the volcano near the southern
hemisphere spring equinox. The lake, just east of Maipo’s peak, is
still ice covered. However, the increasing temperatures of spring are
suggested by a muddy-looking streak near the lower left corner. The
streak appears to be a landslide or avalanche that flowed westward
down a rugged slope, possibly triggered by instability in the
snowpack due to snow melt. |
