Cerro Capurata

Cerro Capurata, also known as Elena Capurata or Quimsachatas^[3] is a stratovolcano in the Andes of Bolivia and Chile.^[4] To the south of Capurata lies Cerro Casparata and straight west Guallatiri, which shares a near-identical elevation with Capurata.^[5]

Cerro Capurata
Elena Capurata, Nevados de Quimsachata
Cerro Capurata is in the center.
Highest point
Elevation	6,013 m (19,728 ft)
Prominence	602[1] m (1,975 ft)
Parent peak	Acotango
Coordinates	18°24′54″S 69°02′45″W
Geography
Cerro Capurata Chile / Bolivia
Countries	Chile and Bolivia
Parent range	Andes
Climbing
First ascent	7 October 1967 by Ignacio Morlans and Pedro Rosende[2]

Geography and geomorphology

It is on the border of the Parinacota Province of Chile (Putre commune) and of the Bolivian province of Sajama (commune Turco).^[1] Compared to Acotango and Humurata, Capurata's rocks are relatively well preserved. Some hydrothermal alteration, partly associated with fumarolic activity, is present however.^[6] The total volume of the edifice is 19 cubic kilometres (4.6 cu mi)^[7] and has been eroded by glaciers. The volcano is formed by lava domes, lava flows and pyroclastic flows.^[8] Sulfur deposits formed by solfataras are also found on Capurata.^[9] The west side of the mountain is covered with snow and ice.^[10] Two crater depressions on the summit have an appearance that suggests a Holocene age.^[8]

Incan Ruins and First Ascent

Incan Ruins at the top of Capurata

A 10 by 5 metres (33 ft × 16 ft) ruin towards the northern site of the summit. The structure was probably built by the Inkas and it was photographed by Pedro Hauck during his last ascent in 2014.^[11] The first recorded climb is by Pedro Rosende and Ignacio Morlans (Chile) in 10/07/1967.^[12][13]

Elevation

It has an official height of 5990 metres,^[14][a][b] but handheld GPS devices have indicated that it is actually 6,013 metres (19,728 ft)^[19] or 6,014 metres (19,731 ft) high.^[11]

See also

• Salla Qullu
• List of mountains in the Andes

Notes

1. Other data from digital elevation models: SRTM yields 5,979 metres (19,616 ft),^[15] ASTER 5,992 metres (19,659 ft),^[16] SRTM filled with ASTER5,979 metres (19,616 ft),^[16] ALOS 5,992 metres (19,659 ft),^[17] TanDEM-X 6,019 metres (19,747 ft).^[18]
2. The height of the nearest key col is 5,409 metres (17,746 ft),^[1] leading to a topographic prominence of 602 metres (1,975 ft) with a topographical dominance of 12.08%. Its parent peak is Acotango and the Topographic isolation is 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi).^[1]