Copiapó (volcano) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Copiapó |
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|---|---|
| Azufre | |
Volcan Copiapó from Quebrada Villalobos
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,052 m (19,856 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,701 m (5,581 ft) |
| Parent peak | Ojos del Salado |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Geography | |
 Copiapó
Location in Chile
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| Parent range | Andes |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | Unknown |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Pre columbian, first modern ascent by Stefan Osiecki, Witold Paryski, Jan Szczepanski and Justyn Wojsznis (Poland) in 03/10/1937. |
Copiapó, also known as Azufre, is a large stratovolcano located in the Atacama Region of Chile. A stratovolcano is a tall, cone-shaped volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, ash, and rocks.
This volcano helps divide the Nevado Tres Cruces National Park into two parts. Nearby, you can find Ojos del Salado, which is another very tall mountain. At the very top of Copiapó, there is an ancient Inca platform.
Contents
About the Volcano
Copiapó volcano was formed a very long time ago. Its main part is made of volcanic rocks like dacites. These rocks were formed from lava flows and ash.
Scientists have found obsidian from this volcano in old archaeological sites. Obsidian is a natural glass formed when lava cools very quickly. This shows that people lived near the volcano long ago.
Some reports in the past mistakenly said that Copiapó volcano was actively letting out gases. However, this was a mix-up with other nearby volcanoes, Azufre and Lastarria. Copiapó is not known to be actively releasing gases.
Climbing Copiapó
Climbing Copiapó is a big challenge. The summit is about 6,052 metres (19,856 ft) high. Near the top, about 40 metres (130 ft) from the highest point, there is an ancient Inca ruin.
This ruin is an Inca platform. It measures about 10 by 6 metres (33 by 20 ft) and has a wall that is about 4 metres (13 ft) high. This shows that the Inca people climbed this volcano centuries ago.
The first recorded modern climb was on October 3, 1937. A team of Polish climbers, Stefan Osiecki, Witold Paryski, Jan Szczepanski, and Justyn Wojsznis, were the first to reach the summit in modern times.
Gallery
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Maricunga Salt Flat with Copiapó Volcano in the distance
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Volcan Copiapó summit showing "Inca" structures and firewood
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Incan platform at 6045 m altitude
See also
- List of volcanoes in Chile
- List of Ultras of South America
In Spanish: Copiapó (volcán) para niños
