Santa Isabel, Shield volcano in Central Cordillera, Colombia.
Santa Isabel is a shield volcano in the Central Cordillera of Colombia, located where Tolima, Caldas, and Risaralda meet. Three symmetrical domes made of andesite form the summit at about 4950 meters (16,240 feet) above sea level.
The volcano formed over thousands of years through successive phases of volcanic activity that shaped its current structure. No eruptions have been documented since 1943, and the area later became part of Los Nevados National Park.
Local indigenous communities monitor the volcano's glaciers as water sources, maintaining traditional practices of environmental stewardship passed through generations.
Access requires permission from the national park administration and the presence of experienced mountain guides who know the high-altitude conditions. The months between December and March usually offer more stable weather for visits.
The three summit domes reach nearly identical elevations and form a rare symmetrical formation that resulted from different eruptive phases. This structure sets the mountain apart from most other volcanoes in the northern Andes.
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