Coropuna

Coropuna is an extinct stratovolcano located in the Andes Mountains of southern Peru. Situated in the Arequipa Region, it is part of the Central Volcanic Zone (CVZ) and rises to a height of approximately 6,425 meters (21,079 feet) above sea level, making it the highest volcano in Peru.

Coropuna is composed primarily of andesitic and dacitic lavas and pyroclastic deposits. Its volcanic activity ceased during the Late Pleistocene or early Holocene epoch, and the summit is now covered by a large ice cap. This ice cap is a significant source of water for the surrounding arid regions, feeding several rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean.

Due to its height and glacial cover, Coropuna plays an important role in the regional climate and hydrology. Studies have been conducted on its ice cores to reconstruct past climate conditions and understand the impacts of climate change in the Andes. The volcano is also culturally significant to indigenous communities in the area, who have traditionally relied on its water resources.

While Coropuna is no longer considered an active volcano, monitoring of its geological stability and glacial retreat continues to be of interest, particularly in the context of water resource management and potential hazards associated with glacial melt.