Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi seen from the high plain (at least 3,700 m (12,139 ft)) of Cotopaxi National Park
Highest point
Elevation	5,897 m (19,347 ft)
Prominence	2,500 m (8,202 ft)
Listing	Ultra
Coordinates	0°40′50″S 78°26′16″W / 0.68056°S 78.43778°W / -0.68056; -78.43778
Geography
Location	Cotopaxi, Latacunga, Ecuador
Parent range	Andes
Geology
Mountain type(s)	Stratovolcano, Historical
Volcanic arc/belt	South Volcanic Zone
Last eruption	2023 (ongoing)
Climbing
First ascent	28 November 1872 by Wilhelm Reiss and Ángel Escobar
Easiest route	North side: Glacier/Snow Climb (Grade PD-)

Sangay

Tungurahua

Quilotoa

Cotopaxi

Illiniza

Antisana

Pichincha

Reventador

Cayambe

Chimborazo

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Major volcanoes in Ecuador

Cotopaxi (Spanish pronunciation: [kotoˈpaksi]) is an active stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains, located near Latacunga city of Cotopaxi Province, about 50 km (31 mi) south of Quito, and 31 km (19 mi) northeast of the city of Latacunga, Ecuador.^[1] It is the second highest summit in Ecuador (after Chimborazo), reaching a height of 5,897 m (19,347 ft). Cotopaxi is among the highest active volcanoes in the world.

Cotopaxi is known to have erupted 87 times, resulting in the creation of numerous valleys formed by lahars (mudflows) around the volcano.^[2] An ongoing eruption began on 21 October 2022.^[3]

At the end of February 2023, the Geophysical Institute of Ecuador reported that Cotopaxi had produced around 8,000 earthquakes since October 21, 2022, amounting to 1,600 events per month.^[4]