Villarrica Rucapillán Volcano Eruption, Araucania Region, Andes, Chile

Villarrica is popular for climbing with guided hikes to the crater from the town of Pucón, but these may be suspended due to cloud or volcanic activity. Helicopter over-flights have been available since 2007. In the winter (July–September) a ski resort operates on the northern slopes.
Eruptive history
Villarrica is one of Chile's most active volcanoes; eruptions have been recorded since the conquest of Chile and the founding of the city of Villarrica in 1552. There are uncertainties in the eruptive record in the first half of the 17th century due to the Mapuche and Huilliche uprising which lead to the surrender or abandonment of Spanish settlements during the destruction of the Seven Cities. The earliest recorded eruption occurred in 1558, followed by at least 65 others with assumed Volcanic Explosivity Indexes of 1-3.