Pichincha
| Pichincha | ||
|---|---|---|
.jpg) Rucu Pichincha and the Zona Norte in Quito (2018) |
||
| height | 4794 m | |
| location | Ecuador | |
| Mountains | To the | |
| Dominance | 49.59 km → Sincholagua | |
| Notch height | 1642 m | |
| Coordinates | 0 ° 10 ′ 38 " S , 78 ° 35 ′ 56" W | |
|
||
| Type | Stratovolcano | |
| Last eruption | 2009 | |
The Pichincha is the " local mountain " of Quito , the capital of Ecuador . The active volcano has two peaks, one of which Rucu Pichincha ( Quechua : old Pichincha) ( 4690 m ) is much closer to the city than his with 4794 m slightly higher brother Guagua Pichincha (Quechua: young Pichincha), the approximately five kilometers west but is not visible from Quito. The latter was very active in 1999, causing the city to experience an outbreak of ash rain. This eruption meant that a large part of the western crater rim, but also the southeastern, formerly highest crater area, broke off. Due to the geographical location of Quito, it is assumed that any lava flows do not pose a threat to the city.
Rucu Pichincha is easy to climb in a day tour. Since the completion of the TelefériQo cable car , ascent has become quick and easy: tourists can cover a distance of 800 m on the Cruzloma flank, which takes them up to an altitude of 4100 m . Previous security warnings are no longer confirmed by local police and tour operators; today it is considered very safe to climb both peaks.
One of the first and most prominent European climbers was Alexander von Humboldt , who carried out various measurements on both peaks in 1802.
After the Battle of Pichincha on May 24, 1822, Ecuador and the Real Audiencia de Quito became independent from Spain .
Quito with the Pichincha (1985)
View of Quito from the top station of the cable car
On the way to the summit of Rucu Pichincha
Pichincha
Web links
- Pichincha in the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution (English)