The Technical and Scientific Committee for volcanic risk management of the Arequipa region (comprised of five groups including IGP's OVS and INGEMMET's OVI) reported multiple explosions at Sabancaya during 16-18 and 20-21 November, and ash plumes that rose 2-4.2 km above the crater rim and drifted more than 40 km N, NE, S, and SW. The Buenos Aires VAAC stated that ash plumes visible in satellite and webcam images drifted SE on 19 November.

Geological Summary. Sabancaya, located in the saddle NE of Ampato and SE of Hualca Hualca volcanoes, is the youngest of these volcanic centers and the only one to have erupted in historical time. The oldest of the three, Nevado Hualca Hualca, is of probable late-Pliocene to early Pleistocene age. The name Sabancaya (meaning "tongue of fire" in the Quechua language) first appeared in records in 1595 CE, suggesting activity prior to that date. Holocene activity has consisted of Plinian eruptions followed by emission of voluminous andesitic and dacitic lava flows, which form an extensive apron around the volcano on all sides but the south. Records of observed eruptions date back to 1750 CE.

Sources: Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI), Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP)