Volcanoes of Ecuador
Ecuador is an exotic country of unforgettable adventures. It has not only amazing Amazonia, the unique beauty of the mountains, but a huge number of volcanoes. A journey near the equator may be the most unforgettable in the life. And if to compare the relatively low prices of food and travel services, vacation in Ecuador will also become one of the most economical. There are at least 5 known volcanoes on its territory and some of them are still active.
The best known Ecuadorian volcano is Cotopaxi, located in the heart of the same name Park of Ecuador. Cotopaxi is one of the largest volcanoes in the country, the height of which is around 5900 meters. The volcano is located south of Quito, capital of Ecuador, and is part of the Avenue of Volcanoes. Some years ago local residents suffered distress from the powerful eruptions from its crater. Now the volcano is dormant, and only sometimes the emissions of sulfur or water vapor occur. The first European, who reached the top of the volcano, was Wilhelm Flight. He was a German geologist, who organized an expedition to the Andes in 1872. Tourists, climbing Cotopaxi, enjoy the magnificent peaks of the Andes, lined up in a chain.
Chimborazo is also among the famous volcanos of Ecuador. It is the highest point of the country. Its height, according to various estimates is about 6300 meters. According to scientists last eruption of this volcano was in the first Millennium BC. From the 16th century to the beginning of the 19th century, Chimborazo was considered as the highest peak on Earth. Chimborazo is an extinct volcano that does not decrease its popularity among the tourists. The top of the volcano is covered with eternal ice. The melt water from the mountains is the main water resource for the citizens of Bolivar and Chimborazo provinces. In recent decades the glacier has strongly decreased due to the impact of global warming, and also due to the volcanic activity of Chimborazo. Volcano’s ice is intensively used for sale in the markets, and also for cooling the cities, where the climate is too hot for humans.
The Pichincha volcano is one of several active volcanoes of Ecuador. The Eastern slopes of Pichincha smoothly cover the capital of Ecuador in a circle. Pichincha is the 2nd tallest volcano in the country. The volcano contains two peaks. Among of them are the peak Guagua with a height of about 4800 meters and the peak of Rucu which height is about 4700 meters. The first of them is translated as “child”, and the second – “the old man”. Pichincha is as popular place to climb as Cotopaxi.
Another active volcano Sangay is situated on the Eastern slope of the Andes. The word “Sangay” is of Amerindian origin, which means “to frighten”. The meaning really proves its name as the volcano is constantly erupting since 1934 and causes great danger to nearby settlements. The first registered eruption happened in 1628. The last major eruption lasted during the year – from 2006 to 2007. The height of the volcano Sangay is 5230 meters. The top of the volcano is full of eternal snow. The first conquest of the peak occurred in 1929. It was a 28 days – journey, during 18 of which it was constantly rained. Today most of the way is overcoming by car in good weather conditions.
Not everyone can enjoy the fire-breathing mountain, because the eruption of the volcano is not only beautiful but also a very dangerous spectacle. Tungurahua has not only beautiful, almost perfect shape, but also a changeable temper. The eruption of volcanic ash is visible from far distance. There is a city of Banjos near Tungurahua. A few years ago during another eruption of the volcano all residents of this city were completely evacuated. But the city was just covered with a layer of volcanic ash. Those, who are not able to get closer to the Ecuadorian fire-breathing dragon should not worry, even at a considerable distance, he makes an impression. Smoke and flames emanating from the heart of Tungurahua, will not leave you indifferent. Unforgettable beauty photos will remain in your archive and remind you about visiting one of the most picturesque and unusual places of our planet. Only there, watching the terrible temper of Tungurahua volcano, one can truly realize how weak this world is and how powerful the nature is. Perhaps such a trip is extremely helpful to each of us in order to understand that our task is not to damage the beauty of the world, but to save it for our future generations.