Ampato

Nevado Ampato

Aerial view of Nevado Ampato (back) from the northeast, with the active Volcan Sabancaya in front.
Elevation 6,288 m (20,630 ft)
Prominence 1,997 m (6,552 ft)
Listing Ultra
Location
Ampato
Southern Peru
Range Andes
Geology
Type Stratovolcano
Volcanic arc/belt Central Volcanic Zone
Last eruption Unknown
Climbing
First ascent Inca, pre-Columbian
Easiest route snow / glacier climb

Ampato is a dormant 6,288-metre (20,630 ft) stratovolcano in the Andes of southern Peru, about 100 km (60 mi) northwest of Arequipa. It is part of a 20 km (12 mi) north-south chain of three major stratovolcanoes, including the extinct and eroded 6,025 m (19,767 ft) Nevado Hualca Hualca at the northern end and the active 5,976 m (19,606 ft) cone of Volcán Sabancaya in the middle.

In September 1995, the rapidly retreating glacier near the summit of Ampato revealed the frozen mummified body of an Inca girl, killed by a blow to the head about 500 years ago. The mummy, later called the "Ice Maiden" and nicknamed "Juanita", was recovered by an expedition led by American archaeologist Dr. Johan Reinhard. In October 1995 and December 1997, Reinhard and Peruvian archaeologist Jose Antonio Chavez directed expeditions that led to the recovery of three further mummies above 5,800 m (19,000 ft).

See also

Mummy Juanita

References

External links