Ojos del Salado, Active volcano in Atacama Region, Chile
Nevado Ojos del Salado rises to 6,893 meters above sea level, making it the tallest active volcano on Earth and the second-highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. The mountain is composed of andesite and sits on the border between Chile and Argentina, nestled within the dry high-altitude terrain of the central Andes.
Polish climbers Jan Alfred Szczepański and Justyn Wojsznis became the first to reach the summit in February 1937. Decades later, expeditions sparked interest in archaeological discoveries near the peak, possibly indicating ceremonial use by the Inca.
The name comes from the Spanish "Ojos del Salado," meaning "Eyes of Salt," referring to the salt-crusted lagoons scattered across its slopes. Climbers from around the world regard the summit as one of the most demanding challenges in the Andes, requiring careful planning, acclimatization, and stamina.
Two shelters at 5,100 meters and 5,750 meters offer resting points for climbers attempting the ascent between October and May. The extremely thin air at this altitude makes gradual acclimatization essential before approaching the summit.
Near the upper crater rim, at 6,390 meters, sits the tallest lake on Earth, a small frozen body of water surrounded by volcanic rock. A vehicle reached 6,688 meters on the mountain's slope in 1987, setting the record for the highest point ever reached by a motorized vehicle.
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Chile stretches over 2,670 miles (4,300 kilometers) from north to south, crossing some of South America's most varied landscapes. The north features the Atacama Desert with its salt flats, geysers at El Tatio, and astronomical observatories such as Paranal. The coastal city of Valparaíso displays...
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