Awkiwatu, Volcanic formation in Paucar del Sara Sara Province, Peru.
Awkiwatu is a volcanic mountain in Paucar del Sara Sara Province that rises to about 5000 meters elevation with a distinct cone shape. The formation developed on the southern margin of an older volcanic plateau and displays geological features typical of the high Andes.
The Geophysical Institute of Peru began systematic monitoring activities at Awkiwatu in 2019 to document its geological features and any potential seismic activity. This monitoring program is part of a broader effort to track volcanic behavior across the region.
The name Auquihuato probably comes from Quechua: awki, "prince", and watu, "prediction" or "fortuneteller". The cone stands on the border of the Colta and Oyolo districts in Paucar del Sara Sara Province, Ayacucho Region, where herders and villagers of the high puna live around it.
The cone sits at 4,980 m on the border of the Colta and Oyolo districts, reached over the Pliocene volcanic plateau south of the site; the 12 km lava flow gives a firm walking surface with well-developed levees to follow. No historical eruptions are known, and the Geophysical Institute of Peru has monitored ground deformation by InSAR since 2019, centred 7 km southeast of the cone.
The lava flow descending south from the cone is about 12 kilometres long and 50 metres thick, with a pahoehoe surface and well-developed levees. It is of Holocene age, but no radiometric dating exists and no historical eruptions are known. In 2019 the Geophysical Institute of Peru began geodetic monitoring; InSAR shows ground deformation centred 7 kilometres southeast of the cone.
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