The volcano is part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes. The Central Volcanic Zone further includes the Altiplano-Puna volcanic complex, which between 10 and 1 million years ago was the source of large ignimbrite eruptions that produced over of rock; after that it produced lava flows and lava domes like Cerro Chao and geothermal fields such as El Tatio and Sol de Mañana, accompanied by a decreased production of volcanic material. The Altiplano-Puna volcanic complex is underpinned by a magmatic body that appears to be a batholith. Volcanic activity is the consequence of the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South America Plate. Aside from volcanic activity, crustal shortening has resulted in a thickened crust since about 35 million years ago.