Olca, Stratovolcano at Chilean-Bolivian border, Chile
Volcán Olca is a stratovolcano located on the Chile-Bolivia border that rises to about 5,400 meters above sea level. The mountain forms part of a ridge system that includes several connected volcanic peaks across the high plateau region.
The volcano last erupted between 1865 and 1867, marking the end of major volcanic activity in the region. Observations decades later in 1989 and 1990 detected ongoing gas emissions from the summit area.
The mountain holds significance among indigenous Andean communities who maintain traditional connections to the volcanic landscapes of northern Chile.
Climbing requires preparation for extreme altitude and cold conditions since the summit sits in one of the world's highest regions. Visitors should expect thin air and difficult terrain and bring appropriate gear for high mountain conditions.
The summit has a persistent fumarolic field where hot gases and mineral-rich fluids continuously escape from the ground. These visible steam emissions make the mountain's volcanic nature apparent even though major eruptions ended more than a century ago.
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