Quilotoa, Dormant volcano in Pujilí Canton, Ecuador.
Description
Quilotoa is a dormant volcano in Pujilí Canton in Ecuador, and its crater holds a mineral-rich lake. The water appears green and sits at roughly 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) elevation, while the lake reaches a depth of around 250 meters (820 feet).
History
The last major eruption occurred in 1280 and produced pyroclastic flows that reached the Pacific. Ash from this event spread across the northern Andes and shaped the crater landscape seen today.
Culture
Kichwa communities around the crater weave textiles using natural dyes drawn from plants of the region. These fabrics often show geometric patterns that represent elements of the landscape and sky.
Practical
You can reach the crater rim by bus from Latacunga, and from there a steep path leads down to the lake. The descent takes roughly 30 minutes, but the return climb requires one to two hours and demands some fitness.
Did you know?
Beneath the surface of the lake, fumaroles send gas bubbles up to the water occasionally. On the eastern side of the crater, thermal springs emerge that bring warm water into the cold highland environment.
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Ecuador offers diverse landscapes and architectural subjects for photography. The capital city of Quito features colonial buildings such as the Basilica del Voto Nacional and the narrow streets of La Ronda, while the surrounding highlands contain active volcanoes including Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and...
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