Pichincha General Information
Location
Province: Pichincha Sector: Pichincha Mountain range Latitude: 0.17°S Longitude: 78.6°W Mountain range: Western Cordillera of the Andes |
Physiographic Data
Summit elevation: 15,696 ft (4794 m) Type of volcano: active stratovolcano, its caldera lays open toward the west Typical eruption style: explosive Diameter of the base: 7.4 mi (12 K) N-S Diameter of the caldera: 0.9 miles (1.6 km) Depth of the caldera: 2,296 ft. (700 m) |
Curious facts
Last known eruption: 2009 minor eruptions; 1999 major eruption that covered the city of Quito with several inches of ash. Geological epoch (age of rock): The Pleistocene First ascender: Alexander von Humboldt in 1802 Grade of climbing difficulty: easy but need a tour guide Alert: Yellow |
Description
Guagua Pichincha is an active stratovolcano in the country of Ecuador, the meaning of Guagua is child in the Quechua language, which is the native language in the Highland region. The Guagua Pichincha is part of the massive mountain of Pichincha in whose foothills lays the city of Quito, capital of Ecuador. The Pichincha Mountain has two main peaks: one the Guagua Pichincha with an elevation of 15,696 ft. (4,784 m); and the Rucu Pichincha with an elevation of 15,413 ft. (4,698 m). Rucu means in Quechua, the old person. It is considered an inactive caldera. From the city of Quito both peaks are visible and they are considered easy to climb.
The Guagua Pichincha has suffered different transformations throughout its geological history. The current caldera and dome were formed after several eruptions in its history. Nowadays, more domes toward the western side of the mountain are being formed as a result of eruptions.
In October 1999, the volcano erupted and covered the city of Quito with several inches of ash. Prior to that, the last major eruptions were in 1553 and in 1660, when about 30 cm of ash covered the city. The province of Pichincha, whose capital is Quito, takes its name from this volcano, as is the case for many other provinces in Ecuador that are located near volcanoes in the Highland region, such as: Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, etc. In Ecuadorian history, the Pichincha Mountain plays a very important role, being the place where the battle of Pichincha was fought on May 24, 1822. Under the command of Marshal Antonio José de Sucre, the Ecuadorian army fought and defeated the Spanish army on the south-east slopes of this volcano. Ecuador attained its independence on August 10, 1810, proclaiming itself a free nation.
The Guagua Pichincha has suffered different transformations throughout its geological history. The current caldera and dome were formed after several eruptions in its history. Nowadays, more domes toward the western side of the mountain are being formed as a result of eruptions.
In October 1999, the volcano erupted and covered the city of Quito with several inches of ash. Prior to that, the last major eruptions were in 1553 and in 1660, when about 30 cm of ash covered the city. The province of Pichincha, whose capital is Quito, takes its name from this volcano, as is the case for many other provinces in Ecuador that are located near volcanoes in the Highland region, such as: Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, etc. In Ecuadorian history, the Pichincha Mountain plays a very important role, being the place where the battle of Pichincha was fought on May 24, 1822. Under the command of Marshal Antonio José de Sucre, the Ecuadorian army fought and defeated the Spanish army on the south-east slopes of this volcano. Ecuador attained its independence on August 10, 1810, proclaiming itself a free nation.