Coropuna
Nevado Coropuna is the largest and highest volcano in Peru, attaining an impressive elevation of (some maps show it as high as ). It is located about northwest of Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru.
This massive ice-covered stratovolcano complex has a summit plateau which extends over 12 x 20 km (8 x 13 mi), with six separate summit cones rising above it. The true summit is at the northwest end of the plateau, although the southwest summit may be equal or greater in height depending on the depth of seasonal snow. A permanent ice cap of about in area covers the summit region, extending down to roughly on the north side and on the south. Vertical relief on the south flank exceeds over a distance of less than .
The name Coropuna means "shrine on the plateau" in Quechua. Remains of Inca clothing have been found near , providing evidence for pre-Columbian ascents.
References
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Coropuna
