beneath the volcanic system. The precise date when the uplift started is unclear, because satellite observation of the area is scarce. The start of the uplift may be related to an earthquake in Chile in 1998, but this is questionable. Aftershocks of the 1995 Antofagasta earthquake may be responsible instead. Between 1998 and 2000 the long axis of deformation amounted to , with a later increase to . In 2008 the area had already reached a diameter of and surface area of . In 2015 deformation was observed over a surface of , at depths and with speeds of until 2010. This uncertainty is largely because estimates trade off between depth, pressure and shape of the deformation. Research in 2016 indicated that the uplift dome has a diameter of . Since 2005 uplift speeds of have been observed with InSAR and a magma flux rate of has been inferred. Other research has indicated an inflation rate of , comparable with other plutons in the area. One estimate in 2009 indicated a depth . Another estimate in 2016 indicated a chamber depth of . Research in 2009 indicated that the deforming area has increased by about laterally and covered almost (area uplifted by or more). The researchers concluded that sill fluid dynamics may explain the pattern of uplift and growth in the uplifting area but without major changes in the magma flux rate. Other data indicate that no lateral expansion may be taking place. A study in 2014 indicated that the source of the deformation is most likely elliptical and has a volume of . The deformation pattern may be controlled by local tectonic stress patterns. There are several Pleistocene volcanoes around the uplift region, which may be supplied from the sill. This deformation system is among the largest on Earth. It has been compared to deformation occurring at Uturuncu volcano, but the deformation source beneath Lazufre has not been imaged due to resolution limitations. The size of the deformation area is comparable with the size of calderas such as Long Valley and Yellowstone. Likewise, such deformation patterns are mainly found in active caldera systems and in the case of Lazufre may be caused by the refilling of a magma chamber. The hydrothermal system of Lastarria may be influenced by the uplift, with a possible transition from a hydrothermal deformation in 2009 to a magmatic one in 2012, but it's not