Parinacota
Encyclopedia
Parinacota is a massive potentially active stratovolcano
on the border of Chile
and Bolivia
. It is part of the Nevados de 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 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).
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, 27 km away on the Bolivian side of the mountain.
Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions...
on the border of Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
. It is part of the Nevados de Payachata
Nevados de Payachata
Nevados de Payachata is a north-south trending complex of potentially active volcanos on the border of Bolivia and Chile, directly north of Chungará Lake. The complex contains two peaks, Pomerape to the north and Parinacota to the south. According to helium surface dating, Parinacota has erupted...
volcanic group
Volcanic group
A volcanic group is a collection of related volcanoes or volcanic landforms. Note that the term is also used in a different sense when it denotes a suite of associated rock strata largely of volcanic origin; see group for details.-Notable volcanic groups:-See also:*Complex...
. The other major edifice in that group is the Pleistocene
Pleistocene
The Pleistocene is the epoch from 2,588,000 to 11,700 years BP that spans the world's recent period of repeated glaciations. The name pleistocene is derived from the Greek and ....
peak of Pomerape
Pomerape
Pomerape is a stratovolcano lying on the border of Chile and Bolivia . It is part of the Nevados de Payachata complex of volcanoes together with Parinacota Volcano to the south. It is of Pleistocene age.Climbing the volcano is alpine AD grade, sometimes on 50+ degree snow/rubble slope...
. 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 debris avalanche, which blocked nearby drainage patterns, creating Chungará Lake.
The volcano and Pomerape straddle the border between Sajama National Park
Sajama National Park
Sajama National Park is a national park located in the Oruro Department, Bolivia. It borders Lauca National Park in Chile.The park lies within the Central Andean dry puna ecoregion.. It features a spectacular Andean landscape, with elevations ranging from . It contains the snowy cone of Nevado...
(Bolivia) and Lauca National Park
Lauca National Park
Lauca National Park is located in Chile's far north, in the Andean range. It encompasses an area of 1,379 km² of altiplano and mountains, the latter consisting mainly of enormous volcanoes. Las Vicuñas National Reserve is its neighbour to the south. Both protected areas, along with Salar de Surire...
(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 5,300m at the saddle between Parinacota and Pomerape. Depending on the season, the main difficulty can be a snow formation called penitentesPenitentes
thumb|Penitentes are the name of the caps of the [[nazarenos]]; literally those doing penance for their sins.Penitentes, or nieves penitentes , are a snow formation found at high altitudes. They take the form of tall thin blades of hardened snow or ice closely spaced with the blades oriented...
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
Sajama
Sajama may refer to:*Nevado Sajama, an extinct stratovolcano and the highest peak in Bolivia*Sajama National Park, a national park in Bolivia*Sajama Cut, a rock band from Jakarta, Indonesia...
village, 27 km away on the Bolivian side of the mountain.