Cotopaxi volcano
The Cotopaxi (pronounced [ko.toˈpak.si]) is an active stratovolcano, located in the center -North of Ecuador, in the Province of Cotopaxi. Belonging to the Andes mountain range, specifically to the northern Andes, it has an altitude of 5897 m a.s.l. no. m.; making it the second highest mountain in Ecuador and the northern Andes, only surpassed by the Chimborazo volcano.
Its last major eruption dates back to June 26, 1877; however, since 2015 it has been undergoing a new eruptive process, which is why it is under constant observation by the Geophysical Institute of the National Polytechnic School. It is located 33 km. northwest of Latacunga, 39 km. south of Sangolquí and 45 km. southeast of Quito. The volcano and its surroundings are part of the Cotopaxi National Park, a reserve that is part of the National System of Protected Areas of Ecuador. Cotopaxi is considered the most emblematic natural monument of the homonymous province; Likewise, it is a great tourist attraction that every year attracts thousands of people.
Etymology
The Quichua language assimilated words from the Chibcha language, kutu depending on the context means: "neck" or also "goiter". On the southern slope of the volcano there is a mound that could very well be like a kutu (preserve). P'ashi is an Aymara word meaning "moon"; in Quichua, it is killa. Therefore, Cotopaxi means Neck of the Moon, where the letter x represents the phoneme /ʃ/.
Another version could be qutupasi, with meaning: also cotoso, or very similar to goitre or coto by the bulge.
- It should be noted that it originated from Quechua A, qutupaqsi → recommended for the bocio patient, as the minerals of your lava could relieve such disease.
First inhabitants
Archaeological investigations seem to confirm that the first inhabitants of this region were descendants of the Chibchas. Later, numerous Cayapa-Colorado, Atacameño and Quijo migrations traveled through it, leaving their seed that later germinated in chiefdoms such as Tacunga, Mulliambato, Píllaro, Quisapincha, Panzaleo and others that populated it before the arrival of the Incas.
Its extensive territories called San Vicente Mártir – which included the current province of Tungurahua and vast lands in the eastern region – initially formed part of the province of Pichincha, but were established as the province of Cotopaxi on April 1, 1851.
A few months later, General José María Urbina, as Supreme Head of the Republic, issued the decree on October 9 whereby he ordered that the province would be called León in homage to the memory of the Latacungo philanthropist Don Vicente León, but finally, by decree no.
The province is crossed from north to south by the Andes mountain range and among its highest elevations are: Cotopaxi (5897 m), Illiniza Sur (5245 m), Quilindaña (4878 m), Quispicacha (4,578 m), Yanaurco (4,292 m) and Quilotoa (3,930 m), an extinct volcano in whose crater, as in Cotacachi, a lagoon has formed, this is made of thermal water that maintains an approximate temperature of 16 °C with a rich content of mineral salts.
It is irrigated by numerous rivers, the main one being the Cutuchi that rises on the western slopes of the Cotopaxi volcano, and after touring the province from north to south it enters the province of Tungurahua where it takes the name of Patate.
The economy of the province is based mainly on agriculture and livestock, and stands out for its production of grains, and milk and its derivatives.
In the original Kichwa language Cotopaxi means "Throne of the Moon", and in its folklore the dancers of Pujilí stand out, in the Corpus Christi party; and La Mama Negra, in the month of September.
There is a legend within the tradition of the Andean peoples of Ecuador that tells that there is a rivalry between the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes for the love of the Mama Tungurahua volcano. The myth tells that the Chimborazo finally conquered the heart of Mama Tungurahua and because of that the Cotopaxi is still active because of the anger of not having achieved her love.
History of eruptions
In 1698 (the exact date is reported uncertain) an eruption caused the death of "hundreds of people". The first recorded eruption dates from the year 1757, reporting serious consequences for the population of the Latacunga settlement due to to the economic fracture in livestock and agricultural production that had its origin in the different natural phenomena that affected the province throughout the XVIIIth century.
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The last recorded eruption of the volcano was on June 26, 1877, when an eruptive phase strong enough to form pyroclastic flows occurred. The volcano spewed lava over a 25-minute time interval, also spewing large stones that reached the Valle de los Chillos. It is said of a small eruption in 1942, but there is no evidence to confirm it.
Since 2003, there have been increases in volcanic activity, with 2015 being the year with the highest reported activity. Since August 14, 2015, 138 years after its last major eruption, the Cotopaxi volcano experienced an increase in activity with the expulsion of volcanic material and was placed under constant surveillance by the EPN Geophysical Institute. EPN Geophysical Institute monitors volcanic activity throughout the Ecuadorian territory, including the Andes and the Galapagos Islands. On August 15, 2015, the volcano experienced a new activity with ash emission, for which a "yellow alert" in the country, but it did not lead to a major eruptive episode.
Currently the volcano is in the eruptive process.