Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
Volcano Status: Historical
Last Known Eruption: 1802
Summit Elevation: 5753 m 18,874 feet
Latitude: 0.481°S 0°28’53″S
Longitude: 78.141°W 78°8’27″W
Antisana is a massive, glacier-covered stratovolcano NE of Cotopaxi, along the western margin of the Cordillera Real, 50 km SE of Quito. An older edifice forming the east side of the volcano was constructed over granitic and metasedimentary rocks and is itself overtopped on its NW side by the modern edifice. Two small calderas, one breached to the south and the other to the NE, truncate the older edifice. Viscous, youthful block lava flows have issued from radial fissures on the flanks of 5753-m-high Antisana, one of the highest peaks in Ecuador. The only unequivocal historical eruption took place from 1801 to 1802, when a lava flow was erupted from a vent NNE of the summit. Eighteenth-century eruptions occurred SW of Antisana, in the Chacana caldera.
Antisana is Ecuador’s 4th highest volcano and one of the least climbed. It has a reputation for being a difficult and dangerous mountain that isn’t completely unfounded. It’s active glaciers make routefinding a significant problem and it is easy to find yourself lost in a city of seracs on the upper glacier. It doesn’t help that the “Standard Route” described in the lasted editions of the climbing guides isn’t the standard route any longer due to its length and crevasse difficulties.
There are 4 major peaks along its crater rim, of which the highest is the easiest to climb and first was crowned by Ed Whymper and the Carrels in 1880. The crater itself is filled with glacial ice and appears to be extinct but is not. It last errupted in 1802. The surrounding area has numerous lava flows. Perhaps the most well known is one just outside of Papallacta. The road to the peak passes a large lava flow that is being mined for construction material. Part of the beauty of the mountain is its serenity and spectacular views of Cotopaxi, Sincholagua, and Cayambe. The lucky will see condors. Everyone will see wild horses running around the bone-filled paramo. It is a majestic setting.
Originally posted 2010-08-23 04:16:15.
