Cotopaxi
2007 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Central & South American Geography; Natural Disasters
Cotopaxi  |
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 Cotopaxi as seen from Illiniza |
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| Elevation | 5,897 m (19,347 ft) |
| Location | Ecuador |
| Range | Andes |
| Coordinates | |
| Type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 1904 |
| First ascent | 1872- 11-28 by Wilhelm Reiss and Ángel Escobar |
| Easiest route | ice climb |
Cotopaxi is a volcano located about 50 km south of Quito, Ecuador. At 5,897 m it is the second highest in the country—the highest being the Chimborazo. Cotopaxi is technically referred to as a stratovolcano. It has a height ( topographic prominence) of more than 3,000 m when measured from its base, which has a width about 23 km. It has one of the only equatorial glaciers.
Occasional claims that Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world are known to be incorrect. Llullaillaco volcano is considerably higher and is definitely in an active phase, having erupted as recently as 1877. Ojos del Salado is higher still, and there are indications near its summit of recent activity, although its remoteness precludes a definitive statement as to whether it is currently active.
There have been more than 50 eruptions of Cotopaxi since 1738. Numerous valleys formed by powerful lahars (mudflows) surround the volcano. This poses a high risk to the local population, their settlements and fields. The city Latacunga has been completely destroyed at least twice in its history. Cotopaxi's most violent eruptions in historical times occurred in the years 1744, 1768, and 1877. In the 1877 eruption pyroclastic flows descended all sides of the mountain, with lahars traveling more than 100 km into the Pacific Ocean and western Amazon basin. There was a major eruption in 1903 through 1904, and some minor activity in 1942.
The volcano is the subject of 1855 and 1862 paintings by Frederic Edwin Church.
