The 2nd International Conference of the IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic and Igneous Plumbing Systems will take place at Nevados de Chillán between 1 and 6 November 2026. In this blog entry, Flavia brings together firsthand accounts of volcano researchers who have worked in this unique and dynamic area.
The Nevados de Chillán Volcanic Complex, located in the Southern Volcanic Zone of the Chilean Andes, comprises numerous eruptive centres aligned along a 10-km-long ridge. Its long and diverse eruptive history has produced an impressive volcanic landscape of overlapping edifices, lava flows and pyroclastic deposits of varying compositions, and geothermal manifestations, making Nevados de Chillán a fascinating natural laboratory. At the same time, the volcano is closely intertwined with life in the surrounding area, where local communities, tourism and economic activities coexist with an active volcanic system.
For those of us who have had the opportunity to work there, however, Nevados de Chillán is also much more than a case study. I went to Chillán for the first time during my Master’s. It was among my first experiences working on an active volcano and probably one of the experiences that most influenced my decision to continue pursuing volcanology. After reading so much about the volcanic complex, being there and walking among the lava flows and pyroclastic deposits allowed me to truly appreciate the scale of the processes I was studying.
During one of the field campaigns, activity was frequent enough that explosions became part of our days. I particularly remember walking around the lava flows and suddenly hearing and feeling the ground rumble beneath us. A few seconds later, we would look towards the summit and see a plume rising above the active crater. This could happen several times during the day, and despite becoming familiar with it, it never stopped being impressive. Nevados de Chillán is a place where I learned so much and one that I always enjoy returning to.
Where science meets the landscape
This connection between the science we study and the landscape we experience is something shared by many of those who have worked at Nevados de Chillán. The same lava flows, valleys and volcanic structures can reveal very different stories depending on the questions we bring to the field.
“I think everyone who has spent time in the Nevados de Chillán Volcanic Complex and its surroundings knows the emotions that run through us at the sight of it: the overwhelming beauty of its glacial valleys and the imposing alignment of its subcomplexes, which conceal their transpressive tectonic regime. It was fascinating for me to have the opportunity to work on its flanks. I was studying the pore geometry of the Shangri-La and Democrático lava flows, and seeing their deep black colour felt like standing on its own planet. The majesty of this landscape of viscous lavas conceals a complex architecture of elongated pores that determines fluid flow pathways and helps us understand the structural strength behaviour of the massif. Understanding that the stability of this beautiful yet hazardous volcano also depends on the geometry and connectivity of its pore network taught me to admire the landscape through the demanding lens of rock mechanics. It taught me to be more curious, to read more, to meet wonderful people in this world, and to grasp the importance of trying to take in the immensity of nature — and how much it tells us through the subtle details of its structure.”
Fernanda Merchan, PhD student, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Understanding complexity together
The geological diversity that makes Nevados de Chillán so impressive in the field is also what makes it particularly valuable scientifically. Understanding a volcanic system of this complexity requires us to look beyond individual processes and disciplines. This need for multiple perspectives brings together researchers and students at different stages of their careers, but also people whose knowledge and experience of the area make working in this environment possible.
“Throughout my PhD research, Nevados de Chillán has been much more than a case study. Its geological complexity and the interplay between volcanism, geological structures, and fluid circulation make it an exceptional natural laboratory. Working within this project has allowed me to collaborate with researchers and students from different disciplines, integrating field observations, laboratory analyses, and numerical modeling to better understand the processes occurring at depth. This experience has not only contributed to my development as a researcher, but has also shown me the value of approaching geological problems from multiple perspectives. I hope that the knowledge generated will contribute both to advancing scientific understanding and to improving our comprehension of geothermal resources and volcanic hazards in Chile. Undoubtedly, Nevados de Chillán will continue to inspire new questions and discoveries for those of us seeking to understand the dynamics of volcanic-hydrothermal systems.”
Dr. Valentina Mura, Postdoctoral Researcher, Universidad del Desarrollo
“Nevados de Chillán Volcano is an impressive landscape, a volcanic system that reminds us that the Earth is alive and invites us to understand it in all its complexity. It is precisely this complexity that encourages a multidisciplinary approach to studying both the volcano and its surroundings, and that has allowed me to collaborate and share experiences with many different people. Professors, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, mountain guides, and “arrieros”, are all drawn to this remarkable place for different reasons, and each of them has shown me that understanding it requires multiple perspectives. Working at Chillán has been a unique and wonderful experience. I hope that the efforts of the multiple research groups working in the area will help improve the way society interacts with active volcanoes, and particularly with this place. Nevados de Chillán will undoubtedly continue to attract scientists and visitors alike, thanks to its extraordinary complexity and breathtaking beauty.”
Dr. Camila Pineda, Academic, Universidad Mayor
Science in the service of society
Over the years, these interactions have helped build a broad and collaborative research community around Nevados de Chillán. Long-term research in the area has provided opportunities not only to address questions across volcanology, structural geology, rock mechanics and geothermal systems, but also to train new generations of geoscientists and strengthen collaborations between universities, research institutions and volcano-monitoring organisations. Ultimately, this knowledge also has a role beyond the scientific community, particularly in a country where active volcanism is closely connected to communities, infrastructure and natural resources.
“The five-year research project at Nevados de Chillán, led by UC [Pontifical Catholic University of Chile] and funded by ANID [National Research and Development Agency], allowed us to train undergraduate, Master’s and PhD students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, while working closely with academics from universities in Chile and abroad, and with OVDAS [Southern Andean Volcano Observatory] (Sernageomin). I believe this is a good example of how interdisciplinary scientific knowledge can be translated into research with a direct impact on society – in this case, through applications to volcanic risk and geothermal energy potential. Chile faces major challenges related to inequality and vulnerability, and as a scientific community, we can and should work collaboratively in service of our country, while taking advantage of the wealth of geological case studies Chile has to offer, many of which are of global scientific interest.”
Prof. Gloria Arancibia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
These experiences capture something that is particularly special about Nevados de Chillán. It is simultaneously an active volcanic system, a spectacular geological landscape, a natural laboratory, and a place where people with very different backgrounds and expertise come together, which makes it an especially fitting setting for the next VIPS meeting. The 2nd International Conference of the IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic and Igneous Plumbing Systems will take place at Nevados de Chillán between 1-6 November 2026. We invite you to participate and send your abstract by 14th August 2026. We hope that bringing the scientific community together in this special place will inspire some of the same curiosity that Nevados de Chillán has inspired in all of us — to look more closely, ask new questions, share different perspectives, and perhaps come away seeing volcanic systems a little differently.
Would you like to be featured on our blog?
We’re on the hunt for fellow VIPS enthusiasts to share their stories, whether you’re a student, an early career researcher (ECR) or more experienced researcher – we want to hear from you!
Do you have a new paper to tell the world about? Or have you been involved in some exciting fieldwork recently? Get in touch with the current VIPS-president John Browning at j.browning@ucl.ac.uk and tell us what’s going on in your field of VIPS.
VIPS Newsletter – July/August 2026
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