Misti
Misti
Misti is a stratovolcano in southern Peru near the city of Arequipa. The volcano dominated by its distinctive conical shape of the cityscape and therefore is considered the symbol of Arequipa. Also in the city coat of arms of the mountain can be found again. The 5822 meter high Misti is between two other volcanoes, the 6075 meter high Nevado Chachani and Picchu Picchu. On the summit of Misti a 6 m -high cross was built of iron rails.
The last major outbreak occurred 1784th The volcano is still active, however. Misti has three concentric craters. Again and again, are observed up to Arequipa smoking fumaroles. Geologists were able to demonstrate at least 20 eruptions with tephra deposits over the past 50,000 years. About 2000 years ago a pyroclastic flow reached a length of 12 kilometers.
NASA experts believe that lava flows, lahars and pyroclastic flows threaten the 850,000 inhabitants of the city of Arequipa, in the case of an outbreak. Evacuation plans do not exist, however, and despite the danger arise on the slopes of the volcano itself new settlements. The residents of Arequipa called the volcano " asleep ".
The German -Peruvian General and cartographer Clemens von Althaus (1791-1836) was probably the first who came to the Misti, and certainly the first, the volcano was studied in detail and described. Near the crater archaeologists found 1998 six mummies and rare artifacts from the Inca period. You are now in the Museo de Andean Sanctuaries in Arequipa.
With its regular conical shape is reminiscent of the mountain to a huge pile of sand. Technically presents no difficulty climbing the Misti. Due to the loose, slippery volcanic ash and the steep slopes but the rise is very tedious. A good acclimatization and fitness are required. In a few months may be snow, then crampons and ice axes may be necessary. However, most of the year is the peak due to the drought snow.