Ampato
Encyclopedia
Ampato is a dormant 6288 metres (20,630 ft) stratovolcano
in the Andes
of southern Peru
, about 100 km (60 mi) northwest of Arequipa
. It is part of a 20 km (12 mi) north-south chain of three major stratovolcanoes, including the extinct and eroded 6025 m (19,767 ft) Nevado Hualca Hualca at the northern end and the active 5976 m (19,606 ft) cone of Volcán Sabancaya
in the middle.
In September 1995, the rapidly retreating glacier
near the summit of Ampato revealed the frozen mummified body of an Inca girl, killed by a blow to the head about 500 years ago. The mummy, later called the "Ice Maiden" and nicknamed "Juanita", was recovered by an expedition led by American archaeologist Dr. Johan Reinhard
. In October 1995 and December 1997, Reinhard and Peruvian archaeologist Jose Antonio Chavez directed expeditions that led to the recovery of three further mummies above 5800 m (19,028.9 ft).
Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions...
in the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
of southern Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, about 100 km (60 mi) northwest of Arequipa
Arequipa
Arequipa is the capital city of the Arequipa Region in southern Peru. With a population of 836,859 it is the second most populous city of the country...
. It is part of a 20 km (12 mi) north-south chain of three major stratovolcanoes, including the extinct and eroded 6025 m (19,767 ft) Nevado Hualca Hualca at the northern end and the active 5976 m (19,606 ft) cone of Volcán Sabancaya
Sabancaya
Sabancaya is an active stratovolcano in the Andes of southern Peru, about northwest of Arequipa. It is the most active volcano in Peru and is part of a north-south chain of three major stratovolcanoes, including the extinct and eroded Nevado Hualca Hualca at the northern end, the dormant ...
in the middle.
In September 1995, the rapidly retreating glacier
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
near the summit of Ampato revealed the frozen mummified body of an Inca girl, killed by a blow to the head about 500 years ago. The mummy, later called the "Ice Maiden" and nicknamed "Juanita", was recovered by an expedition led by American archaeologist Dr. Johan Reinhard
Johan Reinhard
Dr. Johan Reinhard is an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at The Mountain Institute, West Virginia, a Visiting Professor at Catholic University, Salta, Argentina, and an Honorary Professor of Catholic University, Arequipa, Peru...
. In October 1995 and December 1997, Reinhard and Peruvian archaeologist Jose Antonio Chavez directed expeditions that led to the recovery of three further mummies above 5800 m (19,028.9 ft).