Laguna del Maule

Laguna del Maule is a highland lake in Chile’s Maule Region that lies within a larger volcanic complex. The basin and surrounding volcanic features form part of an extensive rhyolitic volcanic field with numerous domes and vents.

The site is notable to scientists because geodetic and geophysical monitoring has recorded deformation and other signs of magmatic activity in the volcanic complex in recent decades. This volcanic background gives the area geological significance beyond its surface-water and recreational values.

Recreational use includes hiking, angling and access to mountain landscapes; infrastructure is limited and visitors should plan for remote, high-altitude conditions. The lake itself occupies a basin surrounded by volcanic ridges and lava-derived terrain.

Geographically the lake sits in the central Andes of Chile within Maule Region, at high elevation in a sparsely populated area characterised by volcanic topography and mountain roads.

• Volcanic complex and unrest: Part of a volcanic field that contains numerous volcanic domes and vents; the area has been the subject of geodetic studies because of recent ground deformation.
• Outdoor activities: The lake and its immediate surroundings provide hiking and fishing opportunities, with mountain roads and trails leading to viewpoints around the basin.