One of these volcanoes collapsed in historical time, probably in 1802, generating a large debris avalanche with a volume likely exceeding 0.6–0.8 cubic kilometres (0.14–0.19 cu mi) and a pyroclastic flow.

[21] Dacites from eastern Tutupaca contain amphibole, apatite, biotite, clinopyroxene, iron-titanium oxides, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, quartz, and sphene.

[26] A 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) wide amphitheater in eastern Tutupaca, open to the northeast, was formed by a major collapse of the volcano.

The deposit is mostly found within glacial valleys and is interlaid by the Paipatja pyroclastic flow which divides the debris into two units.

[31][32] The collapse possibly started in the hydrothermal system of the volcano and progressed to affect a growing lava dome,[33] with a total volume probably exceeding 0.6–0.8 cubic kilometres (0.14–0.19 cu mi).

[40] During historical times, major eruptions took place in Peru at El Misti 2,000 years ago and at Huaynaputina in 1600,[38] the latter of which claimed 1,500 fatalities and disrupted the climate of Earth.

[42] There are many tectonic lineaments and faults which were active in the Tertiary;[43] one of these crosses Tutupaca from north to south,[7] and others influence the positions of geothermal features.

[20] The Huaylillas ignimbrite complex[e] underlies some of the volcanic centres,[43] which include a first set of eroded volcanoes that were active between 8.4–5 and 4–2 million years ago, principally erupting lava flows.

[46] Most of the volcanoes in the Central Volcanic Zone are located at over 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) elevation where the climate is cold with frequent freezes.

[47] In the Western Cordillera, altitudes between 3,500–3,900 metres (11,500–12,800 ft) are dominated by vegetation such as cacti, herbs, Peruvian feather grass, and yareta, but also lichens and mosses.

[57] The sector collapse of eastern Tutupaca was accompanied by an eruption that was among the largest in Peruvian history, reaching a volcanic explosivity index of 3 or 4.

[17] The previous eruption may have destabilized the volcano and triggered the main collapse, which also generated the Paipatja pyroclastic flow.

[61] Based on the history of Tutupaca, a future eruption can be envisaged where renewed activity causes another collapse of the volcano.

[5] Other dangers are ballistic rocks, pyroclastic flows, scoria avalanches, ash and pumice rains, volcanic gas and lahars.

[63] The Peruvian Instituto Geológico, Minero y Metalúrgico[h] (INGEMMET) has published a volcano hazard map for Tutupaca.

This would entail surveillance of earthquake activity, changes in the composition of fumarole gases and deformation of the volcanoes, and real-time video.

This project, budgeted to cost 18,500,000 Peruvian sols (4768041 US dollars) and involves the construction of thirty monitoring stations and the main observatory in the Sachaca District,[67] became active in 2019.

[69] Tutupaca is also the name of a geothermal field in the neighborhood of the volcano, which includes the areas of Azufre Chico, Azufre Grande, Callazas River, Pampa Turun Turun, and Tacalaya River;[8] they are part of the same geothermal system whose temperature at depth is higher than 200 °C (392 °F).

[70][71] The fields feature fumaroles, geysers,[45] mud pots and occurrences of sulfur, both solid and in the form of hydrogen sulfide gas,[8] as well as siliceous sinter and travertine deposits.