Departamento Malargüe

Maravillas volcánicas del Departamento Malargüe

Malargüe's Volcanic Wonders

Malargüe is home to one of the world's highest concentrations of volcanoes, primarily within the La Payunia Provincial Reserve. This list features the massive Payún Matrú shield volcano and the symmetrical Payún Liso stratovolcano. It also highlights unique geological formations like the hydromagmatic Cerro Malacara and the eroded sedimentary walls of Castillos de Pincheira. These sites showcase the region's diverse volcanic activity, from vast basaltic fields to active border peaks like Planchón-Peteroa.

Malargüe's Volcanic Wonders — Mapa

Damian Bikiel / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Payún Matrú

Payún Matrú is a shield volcano in the Reserva Provincial La Payunia of the Malargüe Department, south of the Mendoza Province in Argentina.

B

Mirador Lagunas de Teno

Scenic viewpoint overlooking the high-altitude lagoons at the foot of the Planchón-Peteroa volcanic complex near the border with Chile.

Andarin2 / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Volcán morado

Characterized by distinct purple and reddish hues resulting from the oxidation of iron-rich minerals in its basaltic rocks.

Antonio Gritta / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Payún Liso

Prominent stratovolcano in the La Payunia Reserve reaching an elevation of 3,715 meters, making it the highest peak in the volcanic field.

E

Volcán Azufre

Part of the Planchón-Peteroa-Azufre complex, this peak sits on the border between Argentina and Chile in the Central Andes.

F

Planchón-Peteroa

Planchón-Peteroa is a complex volcano extending in a north–south direction along the border between Argentina and Chile.

G

Pincheira Castles

Natural monument formed by glacial and wind erosion on sedimentary rock, creating towers that resemble medieval castle ruins.

H

Vista del volcán Payún Liso

Elevated vantage point offering clear views of the symmetrical cone against the surrounding black basaltic desert of La Payunia.

I

Cerro Malacara

Hydromagmatic volcano formed by eruptions in water, featuring deep yellow canyons and passages carved through volcanic ash.

J

Carapacho

Volcanic cone situated near the Llancanelo Lake, forming part of the extensive volcanic landscape of the Malargüe region.