Wheelwright is part of the Central Volcanic Zone, which together with the Northern Volcanic Zone, the Southern Volcanic Zone and the Austral Volcanic Zone is one among four separate volcanic zones in the Andes; these volcanic zones are separated by gaps without recent volcanic activity. Since 23 million years ago the Central Volcanic Zone has given rise to compound volcanoes, calderas and stratovolcanoes, which are formed mainly by andesitic or dacitic rocks. Ojos del Salado, a member of the Central Volcanic Zone, is the second tallest mountain in the Andes and the highest active volcano in the world. Further, the Maricunga volcanic belt in the same region is site of major precious metal deposits.