Llullaillaco
Llullaillaco (Spanish pronunciation: [ʎuʎajˈʎako]) is a dormant stratovolcano at the border of Argentina (Salta Province) and Chile (Antofagasta Region). It lies in the Puna de Atacama, a region of tall volcanic peaks on a high plateau close to the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places in the world. It is the second highest active volcano in the world after Ojos del Salado.
| Llullaillaco | |
|---|---|
Llullaillaco from the east | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,739 m (22,110 ft) |
| Prominence | 2,344 m (7,690 ft) |
| Isolation | 264.53 km (164.37 mi) |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Coordinates | 24°43′00″S 68°32′00″W |
| Geography | |
Llullaillaco Location in Chile (on border with Argentina) | |
| Location | Chile and Argentina |
| Parent range | Andes, Puna de Atacama |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Pleistocene |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | May 1877 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1950, but previous climbs by Inca |
Llullaillaco formed during two different phases in the Pleistocene-Holocene out of dacitic lava flows. The oldest rocks are about 1.5 million years old. About 150,000 years ago, the volcano's southeastern flank collapsed, generating a debris avalanche that reached as far as 25 kilometres (16 mi) from the summit. The youngest dated rocks were erupted 5,600 ± 250 years ago in the summit region, but there are reports of activity from the 19th century.
The mountain's first recorded climb was in 1950, but traces of earlier climbs and a number of archaeological sites were found on the mountain and at its feet; Llullaillaco marks the highest archaeological site in the world. In 1999, the mummified remains of three children, known as the Children of Llullaillaco, were found at its summit. They are presumed to have been human sacrifices. Mice have been observed in the summit region; aside from humans, they are the highest finding of a mammal in the world.