Palca, Peru

Full City Profile

969 Population 4/sq mi density

13,337 ft Elevation 4,065 meters

43°F Avg Temperature 6°C

Palca has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July. The area gets 361 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 41.0 inches. The area receives 26.4 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)

Annual Average	43.1°F
	20% below US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days	361 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	13,337 ft (4,065 m)
Area	269.4 sq mi (697.8 km²)
Population Density	4/sq mi
Coordinates	-15.2368°N, 70.5978°W
Timezone	America/Lima

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 41.0"

8% above US avg

Snowfall 26.4"

Wettest Month (Jan) 7.64"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

465 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.2. Most recent: M4.2 on Aug 29, 2025.

May 26, 2022	10 km W of Azángaro, Peru	M7.2	49 km
Mar 1, 2019	22 km NNE of Azángaro, Peru	M7.0	75 km
May 24, 1991	13 km SSE of Chojata, Peru	M6.8	142 km
Oct 8, 1998	16 km SSE of Pucara, Peru	M6.2	131 km
Jul 8, 2008	28 km E of Lluta, Peru	M6.2	149 km
May 31, 2020	19 km SW of Vilavila, Peru	M6.1	21 km
Jul 12, 2009	10 km SSW of Tirapata, Peru	M6.1	27 km
Jun 16, 1994	5 km WSW of Nicasio, Peru	M6.0	33 km
Jul 17, 2013	3 km ESE of Maca, Peru	M6.0	131 km
Sep 30, 2009	17 km ESE of Putina, Peru	M5.9	144 km
Sep 13, 2010	21 km SW of Nuñoa, Peru	M5.9	72 km
Nov 27, 1999	10 km S of Langui, Peru	M5.9	108 km
Apr 12, 1998	9 km N of Madrigal, Peru	M5.8	135 km
Sep 5, 2009	12 km N of Nicasio, Peru	M5.8	40 km
Oct 26, 2001	16 km NE of Ayaviri, Peru	M5.8	54 km
Mar 15, 2009	29 km E of Nuñoa, Peru	M5.7	91 km
May 3, 2020	13 km NW of Lampa, Peru	M5.7	16 km
May 24, 2003	10 km W of Pichigua, Peru	M5.6	117 km
Apr 20, 1994	8 km SW of Tirapata, Peru	M5.6	30 km
Oct 28, 2003	21 km NNE of Nuñoa, Peru	M5.6	105 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Nearby Volcanoes

6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Quimsachata (143 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Quimsachata	Lava dome	3,693 m (12,116 ft)	-4450	143 km
Chachani, Nevado	Stratovolcano	6,057 m (19,872 ft)	Unknown	146 km
Sabancaya	Stratovolcano(es)	5,960 m (19,554 ft)	2020	148 km
Huaynaputina	Stratovolcano	4,850 m (15,912 ft)	1600	155 km
Huambo	Volcanic field	4,550 m (14,928 ft)	-700	177 km
Andahua-Orcopampa	Pyroclastic cone(s)	4,713 m (15,463 ft)	1490	187 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	7.6 in	Wettest
February	44°F (7°C)	7.4 in
March	43°F (6°C)	5.9 in
April	42°F (6°C)	2.0 in
May	40°F (4°C)	0.6 in
June	37°F (3°C)	0.1 in	Coldest, Driest
July	43°F (6°C)	0.2 in
August	38°F (3°C)	0.4 in
September	41°F (5°C)	1.1 in
October	43°F (6°C)	1.7 in
November	44°F (6°C)	2.8 in
December	44°F (7°C)	5.8 in	Warmest

Palca has a seasonal temperature swing of 7°F / from 37°F in June to 44°F in December. Total annual precipitation is 35.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.6") and June the driest (0.1").

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