Volcanic ash from Sabancaya volcano observed at 7 300 m (24 000 feet) a.s.l., Peru

Volcanic ash from Sabancaya in Peru was observed at 7 300 m (24 000 feet) above sea level at 17:40 UTC on March 25, 2026. The advisory was issued by the Buenos Aires VAAC at 18:20 UTC on the same day.

The ash cloud, described as a puff emission, was seen in satellite imagery and on webcam, reaching up to flight level FL240, which corresponds to 7 300 m (24 000 feet) altitude. The ash was moving toward the northwest at 28 km/h (17 mph). No Aviation Color Code was stated in this advisory.

According to the Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, Sabancaya has shown ongoing eruptive activity, with gas, steam, and ash plumes rising as high as 1.8 km (5 900 feet) above the summit and drifting in multiple directions. Explosions and thermal anomalies have been detected, with an explosion on March 18 generating an ash plume that rose 2 km (6 600 feet) above the summit. The public is advised to stay outside a 12 km (7.5 miles) radius from the summit, and the Alert Level remains at Orange.

Sabancaya is a stratovolcano located in southern Peru and is part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes. Its primary hazards include explosive eruptions producing ash plumes, pyroclastic flows, and occasional lahars. The nearest major population center is the city of Arequipa, located about 72 km (45 miles) to the south, with smaller settlements such as Maca and Chivay situated closer to the volcano and at risk from significant eruptive events.