Palpana, Stratovolcano in Antofagasta Region, Chile

Palpana is a stratovolcano in the Antofagasta Region that rises above 6000 meters in elevation with a wide crater containing multiple lava domes inside. The volcanic slopes display evidence of glaciation at various elevations and feature geomorphological features shaped by past ice movement.

The volcano was first climbed by Chilean mountaineers in 1977, marking an important milestone in the mountain's exploration history. Geological evidence suggests the peak experienced multiple eruptive phases that shaped its current form.

The name Palpana comes from pparpana, the word for ram in the local language. Pastoralist people who live around the volcano worship the mountain, and remnants of a sanctuary have been found on its summit.

The first ascent was made in 1977 by J. Ambrus and J. Sepúlveda. The summit slope averages 26°, and the snowline lies at 5,900–6,000 m, so crampons and an ice axe are needed on the upper mountain. The western flank is scarred by a collapse 2.9 km wide and 5.9 km long. Access is from the Antofagasta Region side, within the Alto Loa National Reserve.

The mountain preserves traces of multiple glaciation phases with different moraine stages that reveal how climate has shifted over time. These glacier remnants at various elevations allow scientists to study the complex climate history of the Andes.