Cerro Columa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cerro Columa |
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 Cerro Columa
Location in Bolivia
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,876 m (12,717 ft) |
| Listing | List of volcanoes in Bolivia |
| Geography | |
| Location | Bolivia |
| Parent range | Andes |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Maar |
| Last eruption | unknown |
Cerro Columa, also known as Cerro Colluma, is a large crater found in Bolivia. In 1964, scientists thought it was a crater made by a volcano.
The edges of the crater reach a height of about 3,820 meters (12,533 feet). Inside the crater, there is a dry lakebed called a playa. The crater itself is quite large, measuring between 6 and 6.7 kilometers (3.7 to 4.2 miles) across. Experts now believe this crater was most likely formed when a dome of soft rock and dirt collapsed. It's less likely that it was created by a meteorite hitting the Earth.
Where is Cerro Columa Located?
Cerro Columa is on a flat, desert-like plain. This plain doesn't have much plant life and slopes down towards the Salar de Coipasa. The land around the crater is about 3,830 meters (12,566 feet) high.
Ancient Lake Minchin
During a time called the Pleistocene (which was a long, long time ago), a huge ancient lake named Lake Minchin covered this entire plain. This means that the area around Cerro Columa was once underwater!
See also
In Spanish: Cerro Columa para niños
