Sierra Nevada, also known as Sierra Nevada de Lagunas Bravas, is a major ignimbrite-lava dome complex[9] which lies in both Chile and Argentina in one of the most remote parts of the Central Andes.

[10] Radiometric dating has yielded ages of 1.7 ± 0.4 to 0.431 ± 0.012 million years ago,[11] a lava flow from the neighbouring Azufrera Los Cuyanos volcano that is sometimes considered part of Sierra Nevada is 140,000 years old.

[14] The snowline in the area lies at 5,800 metres (19,000 ft) altitude at Cumbre del Laudo.

[15] Sierra Nevada's main summit was one of the last 6000 metre peaks climbed in the Andes.

[16] It was thought that its secondary summit, 6,127 metres (20,102 ft) 26°29′37″S 68°35′08″W / 26.49361°S 68.58556°W / -26.49361; -68.58556, which sits on the border, was the highest.