Parinacota Volcano

Infobox Mountain
Name = Parinacota
Photo = Parinacota.jpg
Caption = Parinacota and Chungará Lake
Elevation = 6,348 metres (20,827 feet)
Location = Bolivia-Chile
Range = Andes
Prominence =
Coordinates = coord|18|10|0|S|69|9|0|W|type:mountain_region:CL
Topographic

Type=Stratovolcano | Age= |Last eruption=290AD ± 300 years
First ascent = 1928 | Easiest route = snow/rock scramble

Parinacota is a massive stratovolcano on the border of Chile and Bolivia. It is part of the Nevados de Payachata group of volcanoes. The other major edifice in that group is the Pleistocene peak of Pomerape. Parinacota's last eruptive phase has been dated using the helium surface exposure technique, which ties the eruption to 290AD ± 300 years.

One of the most dramatic eruptive events in the volcano's past was 8000 years ago, when a major collapse of the edifice produced 6km³ debris avalanche. That avalanche blocked drainage patterns in some of the local area, creating Chungará Lake.

The volcano and Pomerape straddle the border between Sajama National Park (Bolivia) and Lauca National Park (Chile).

Climbing

Climbing the volcano is relatively easy, alpine F grade, on a snow/rubble slope of about 35 degrees. A camp can be established at 5300m at the saddle between Parinacota and Pomerape. Depending on the season, the main difficulty can be penitentes which make the ascent physically difficult or impossible. It is attempted by about 1 party per week in the season. If needed, guides and transport can be hired from Sajama village, 27km away on the Bolivian side of the mountain.

ee also

*List of volcanoes in Bolivia
*List of volcanoes in Chile

ources

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