Cotopaxi volcano

Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano in Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador, rising to an altitude of 5,897 meters with a nearly symmetrical cone towering over a highland plain. The mountain's flanks climb from around 3,800 meters to the glacier-capped summit, with tuff forming much of the volcanic structure.

In 1877, a major eruption produced pyroclastic flows and lahars that traveled more than 100 kilometers, reaching both the Pacific Ocean and the Amazon basin. Since then, several smaller eruptions have occurred, demonstrating that the volcano remains geologically active.

The name comes from the Quechua language, where 'coto' means neck and 'paxi' refers to the moon, describing the crater's distinctive appearance perched above a narrow base. Local highland communities regard the mountain as a sacred presence in their cosmological worldview.

The José F. Ribas refuge at 4,864 meters (15,958 feet) serves as a shelter and acclimatization point for climbers heading to the summit. Weather conditions change quickly at this altitude, so visitors should be prepared for shifting temperatures and sudden fog.

The summit holds one of the few equatorial glaciers in the world, with ice beginning at 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) and persisting year-round. Meltwater from this glacier feeds rivers that drain into both the Pacific Ocean and the Amazon basin.

Location: Cotopaxi Province

Location: Latacunga Canton

Elevation above the sea: 5,897 m

Made from material: tuff

GPS coordinates: -0.68056,-78.43777

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:20