Misti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Misti |
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Misti as viewed from Arequipa
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,822 m (19,101 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,785 m (5,856 ft) |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Geography | |
 Misti
Location in Peru
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| Country | Peru |
| Region | Arequipa |
| Parent range | Andes |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Central Volcanic Zone |
| Last eruption | 1985 |
Misti is a famous volcano in southern Peru. It's also called Putina or Guagua Putina. This amazing stratovolcano is close to the city of Arequipa. Misti has a beautiful, cone shape. Its top is often covered in snow.
Misti stands very tall, at 5,822 meters (about 19,101 feet) above sea level. It's located between two other mountains, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. Misti last erupted in 1985. That was 198 years after its eruption before that!
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Exploring Misti's Features
Misti has three ring-shaped craters inside each other. You can see active fumaroles, which are vents releasing volcanic gas, in the inner crater.
Ancient Discoveries on Misti
In 1998, something very special was found near the inner crater. Archaeologists Johan Reinhard and Jose Antonio Chavez led an excavation. They discovered six Inca mummies and some rare Inca artifacts! These amazing finds are now kept safe at the Museo de Santuarios Andinos in Arequipa.
Climbing Misti Volcano
There are two main paths to climb Misti. The Pastores route starts at 3,300 meters (about 10,827 feet). Climbers usually set up a camp at 4,500 meters (about 14,764 feet) at a spot called Nido de Aguilas.
The Aguada Blanca route begins at 4,000 meters (about 13,123 feet). This is near the Aguada Blanca reservoir. A camp is made at 4,800 meters (about 15,748 feet) at Monte Blanco. Neither path is technically hard, but they are tough. This is because of the steep slopes made of loose sand.
Life Around Misti
Misti and its nearby volcanoes have erupted many times over a long history. These eruptions have made the local soil incredibly fertile. This means the area around Misti is one of the best places in Peru for farming.
The White City of Arequipa
Local people also use a special white volcanic rock called sillar. This rock is strong but easy to work with. The city of Arequipa has many buildings made from sillar. Because of this, Arequipa is often called la ciudad blanca, which means "the white city."
Gallery
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Aerial picture of Ubinas with Misti in the back (2015).
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Misti, as seen from Arequipa (2015).
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This mosaic of two astronaut photographs taken from the ISS illustrates the proximity of Arequipa to Misti, just 17 km away (2009).
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The crater of El Misti (2005).
See also
In Spanish: Misti para niños
- List of volcanoes in Peru
