Parinacota (volcano)

Parinacota
Parina Quta

Parinacota and Chungará Lake
Elevation 6,348 m (20,827 ft)
Prominence 1,989 m (6,526 ft)
Listing Ultra
Location
Parinacota
Parina Quta

Location in Bolivia, on the border with Chile

Location Bolivia – Chile border
Range Andes
Coordinates 18°10′S 69°09′W / 18.167°S 69.150°WCoordinates: 18°10′S 69°09′W / 18.167°S 69.150°W
Geology
Type Stratovolcano
Volcanic arc/belt Central Volcanic Zone
Last eruption 290 CE ± 300 years
Climbing
First ascent 1928
Easiest route snow/rock scramble

Parinacota (in hispanicized spelling), Parina Quta or Parinaquta (Aymara parina flamingo,[1][2] quta lake,[3] "flamingo lake") is a massive potentially active stratovolcano on the border of Chile and Bolivia. It is part of the Payachata volcanic group. 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 8,000 years ago, when a major collapse of the edifice produced a 6 km³ (1.44 cubic miles) debris avalanche, which blocked nearby drainage patterns, creating Chungará Lake.

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

Parinacota volcano and Lake Chungará
Astronaut photograph highlighting the symmetrical cone of Parinacota.

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 5,300 m at the saddle between Parinacota and Pomerape. Depending on the season, the main difficulty can be a snow formation called penitentes which make the ascent physically difficult or impossible. It is attempted by about one party per week in the season. If needed, guides and transport can be hired from Sajama village, 27 km away on the Bolivian side of the mountain.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ludovico Bertonio, Aymara-Spanish dictionary (transcription): Parina - Pájaro grande colorado, que se cría en la laguna
  2. ↑ Teodoro Marka M., NOCIONES BASICAS DE LENGUA AYMARA Nociones Basicas de Lengua Aymara: Parina, pariwana = flamenco rosado (p. 21)
  3. ↑ www.katari.org Aymara-Spanish dictionary: Quta (s.) - Lago.

External links

Media related to Parinacota at Wikimedia Commons