Zapaleri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zapaleri |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,643 m (18,514 ft) |
| Listing |
|
| Geography | |
Zapaleri, right down on the map
|
|
| Countries | Argentina, Bolivia and Chile |
| Parent range | Andes |
Zapaleri is a volcano located high in the Andes mountains. Its very top point is special because it marks where three countries meet. These countries are Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.
This volcano is part of the Potosí Department in Bolivia. It is also in the Jujuy Province of Argentina. And it's found in the Antofagasta Region of Chile. You can find several railway lines in the area around Zapaleri.
Contents
About Zapaleri Volcano
Zapaleri volcano formed on top of older rock layers. One of these layers is called the Tara Ignimbrite. This rock came from the Guacha caldera about 2.89 million years ago. The ground beneath the volcano is made of rocks from the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods. These rocks have been shaped by powerful movements of the Earth.
What is Zapaleri Made Of?
The rocks that make up Zapaleri volcano are different types. They include andesite, basalt, dacite, and rhyolite. These are all types of volcanic rock. Older rocks from the Late Cretaceous period are also found nearby. There are also special volcanic rocks called shoshonite from the Pleistocene period.
Protecting the Area
A part of Zapaleri mountain in Bolivia is a protected area. It is called the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. This reserve helps protect the animals and plants that live there.
The volcano is also close to another protected area in Chile. This area is part of Los Flamencos National Reserve. It includes a section called Salar de Tara-Salar de Aguas Calientes.
Ancient Tools and Zapaleri
Zapaleri is famous for being a major source of obsidian. Obsidian is a natural glass formed from volcanic lava. It was very important to ancient people. They used it to make sharp tools and weapons.
Archaeologists have found obsidian from Zapaleri in sites over 350 kilometers away. This shows how widely traded it was. The main source of this obsidian is on the Bolivian side of the border. It is found near a place called Laguna Blanca. Another source is on Solterio Mountain.
Ancient remains from the Inca civilization and even earlier cultures have been found near these obsidian sites. This tells us that people have been using this area for a very long time.
See also
In Spanish: Cerro Zapaleri para niños
