Inactive stratovolcano in northern Ecuador
Mojanda is an inactive stratovolcano of the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes in northern Ecuador. A summit caldera, which was produced by an explosive Plinian Eruption that marked the end of Mojanda activity 200,000 years ago, is occupied by three crater lakes: Karikucha (the largest), Yanakucha, and Warmikucha.[1] Having received protected status in 2002, they are a popular tourist destination and are about 20 minutes taxi ride from the largely indigenous town of Otavalo.
Mojanda is a complex of two volcanoes which were active simultaneously. The volcanic vents are only 3 km apart. The other volcano, which produced at least two Plinian Eruptions of its own, is known as Fuya Fuya. Fuya Fuya partially collapsed around 165,000 years ago, creating a large caldera to the west. A new volcanic cone and other lava domes subsequently extruded inside the caldera, probably during the Late Pleistocene.[2]
The high altitude grasslands and shrublands of Mojanda, which lie above the cloud forests, are collectively known as páramo. They are frequently grazed by cattle.
A panorama taken in Mojanda volcanic lakes
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