Laguna Amarga

Laguna Amarga is a caldera and associated ignimbrite in the Andes of northwestern Argentina. Laguna Amarga is part of the southern Central Volcanic Zone and one among several Miocene-Pliocene-Pleistocene volcanic centres of this volcanic region. The formation of magma chambers and thus of large volcanic systems has apparently been influenced by tectonic changes. The Laguna Amarga caldera is associated with the Cordillera Claudio Gay faults together with the Laguna Escondida and Wheelwright calderas, all of which are between 6.5 and 4 mya old. Laguna Amarga and Laguna Verde are sometimes associated with the Vallecito ignimbrite instead. The formation of the Laguna Amarga volcanic centre was probably influenced by orogenic changes in the Andes which triggered the formation of fractures in the crust. The Laguna Amarga caldera has a diameter of 33 kilometres (21 mi) and is linked to the Laguna Escondida caldera. It is the largest caldera in the area and may be part of an eastward migrating

Elevation: 5252 m

Country: Chile

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Laguna Amarga

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