Cerro Panizos, Mountain summit in Jujuy Province, Argentina

Cerro Panizos is a volcanic summit straddling the border between Argentina and Bolivia in Jujuy Province. The mountain reaches 5,267 meters and displays two calderas with multiple lava domes across its broad volcanic structure.

Cerro Panizos is a late Miocene shield volcano of the Altiplano–Puna volcanic complex. The Cienago Ignimbrite erupted about 7.9 million years ago, followed 6.7 million years ago by the Panizos Ignimbrite, whose rocks contain orbs. The last activity was a lava flow dated to 6.1 million years ago. The volcano was only recognised as such in 1977 from Landsat satellite images.

A branch of the Inca road system crossed Cerro Panizos, and several archaeological sites lie on the volcano. The central lava domes were first climbed in November 1939, long before the mountain was recognised as a volcano in 1977 from Landsat satellite images.

Expect extreme temperature swings between day and night across this high-altitude, cold and dry zone with minimal rainfall. The exposed terrain offers little shelter, so wind and sun exposure require proper preparation.

The ignimbrite shield's erosion-formed cliffs and rows of pinnacles draw photographers; the shield has been compared to paterae on Mars. The central domes were first climbed in November 1939, and the volcano was only identified as such in 1977 from Landsat satellite images.