The Nevado del Quindío, also known as Volcán Paramillo del Quindío, is an inactive volcano located in the Central Cordillera of the Andes in central Colombia. The summit marks the tripoint of the departments of Risaralda, Quindío and Tolima, and is also the highest point of the department of Quindío. The mountain is one of the highest peaks in the Los Nevados National Natural Park, which is a wildlife sanctuary. There are no historical records of any eruption. The andesitic volcano is located on top of the Palestina Fault.[2][3]
| Nevado del Quindío | |
|---|---|
.png) Nevado del Quindio, province of Cauca aquarel by Manuel María Paz (1853) | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,760 m (15,620 ft)[1] |
| Listing | Los Nevados National Natural Park |
| Coordinates | 4°42′56″N 75°23′18″W / 4.71556°N 75.38833°W[1] |
| Geography | |
  Nevado del Quindío Location of Nevado del Quindío in Colombia | |
| Location | Risaralda, Quindío & Tolima Colombia |
| Parent range | Central Ranges Andes |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Andesitic volcano |
| Volcanic arc/belt | North Volcanic Zone Andean Volcanic Belt |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Cocora valley, Quindío |
The mountain formerly had glaciers, which disappeared in the second half of the 20th century due to changing climatic conditions associated with global warming. At present, there is no permanent ice, only intermittent snow. The mountain's alternative designation as "paramillo" (like paramo, a high-elevation area of sparse vegetation exposed to wind, rain, and cold) reflects this new reality, whereas the term "nevado" inaccurately implies continuous snow cover.
The mountain area offers beautiful landscapes, attracting touristic visits all the year. The lower part is a cloud forest habitat, rich in endemic species.
Botanist and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt visited the area in 1801, describing new species such as the frailejón.
In popular culture
editThe postal service of Colombia, AdPostal, released a postal stamp featuring the Nevado del Quindío and Von Humboldt, to celebrate the anniversary of his visit. It is a stratovolcano or composite volcano, evidenced by geological studies.
A watercolor painting of the volcano by Manuel María Paz (1820–1902) is held by the National Library of Colombia.[4]
Gallery
edit-
Panoramic view from the north peak of Nevado del Quindío -
In the 21st century, Nevado del Quindío is intermittently covered with snow
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Nevado Quindio, Colombia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
- ^ Plancha 225, 1998
- ^ González, 2001
- ^ Paz, Manuel María. "Poncho Weaver in Cali, Province of Buenaventura". World Digital Library. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
Bibliography
edit- González, Humberto (2001). Geología de las planchas 206 Manizales y 225 Nevado del Ruiz - 1:100,000 - Memoria explicativa (PDF) (Report). INGEOMINAS. pp. 1–93. Retrieved 2017-06-09.[dead link]
- Mosquera, D; Marín, P; Vesga, C; González, H (1998). Geología de la Plancha 225 - Nevado del Ruiz (PDF) (Map). INGEOMINAS. p. 1. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
External links
edit- (in Spanish and English) Parque Nacional Natural los Nevados website
- "Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados". SummitPost.org. 2007-04-12. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
- Richard S. Williams, Jr.; Jane G. Ferrigno (1999-01-24). "Ruiz-Tolima Volcanic Massif (Cordillera Central)". USGS. Retrieved 2008-09-30.