Cerro Panizos is part of the Central Volcanic Zone (CVZ) of the Andes, a belt of recent volcanism that runs from southern Peru into Chile and Argentina. 50 volcanoes in the belt have been identified as active in recent times. A major ignimbrite province called the Altiplano-Puna volcanic complex is associated with the area between 21° and 24° degrees southern latitude since 23 million years ago. Cerro Guacha, La Pacana and Pastos Grandes are calderas within this province which covers a surface of , with geothermal manifestations in El Tatio and Sol de Manana being the latest manifestations of volcanism in the area.