| Paipa–Iza volcanic complex | |
|---|---|
 View of Iza volcano from the east | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,500–2,770 m (8,200–9,090 ft) |
| Parent peak | Altiplano Cundiboyacense |
| Coordinates | 5°36′25.7″N72°59′40.4″W / 5.607139°N 72.994556°W /5.607139; -72.994556 |
| Naming | |
| Native name | Complejo volcánico de Paipa–Iza (Spanish) |
| English translation | "caciquePaipa &place of healing" |
| Geography | |
  Paipa–Iza volcanic complex Location in Colombia | |
| Location | Paipa &Iza,Boyacá Colombia |
| Parent range | Eastern Ranges,Andes |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Plio-Pleistocene |
| Mountain type | Volcanic field |
| Rock type(s) | Porphyriticplagioclase andsanidine-richrhyolites |
| Volcanic belt | Andean Volcanic Belt Northern Volcanic Zone |
| Last eruption | Early Pleistocene |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Precolumbian |
| Easiest route | Drive to Paipa or Iza |
| Access | Partially restricted (quarries) Thermal baths touristic attraction |
ThePaipa–Iza volcanic complex is avolcanic field ofLate Pliocene toEarly Pleistocene age on theAltiplano Cundiboyacense in theEastern Ranges of theColombianAndes. It is thenorthernmost volcanic complex of theAndean Volcanic Belt withFueguino inTierra del Fuego,Chile, at the opposite end of theAndean mountain belt.
The complex, comprising mainlyfelsic extrusive volcanic rocks asrhyolites, also is the only confirmed volcanic province in the Eastern Ranges, with traces of probably contemporaneous explosive volcanic activity in the vicinity ofGuatavita,Cundinamarca.
The Paipa-Iza volcanic field is important as a touristic site with thermal baths in both Paipa and Iza and is being studied for the potential ofgeothermal energy production and for the extraction ofuranium in the area.
The names Paipa and Iza originate inMuysccubun, the language of the indigenousMuisca, who inhabited the Altiplano Cundiboyacense before theSpanish conquest. Paipa was the name of acacique who served undercaciqueTundama ofDuitama and Iza means "place of healing".[1]
The Paipa–Iza volcanic complex is located in the northern part of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at altitudes between 2,500 and 2,770 metres (8,200 and 9,090 ft). The northwestern part of the complex is situated in themunicipalityPaipa and the southeastern part inIza, both belonging to thedepartment ofBoyacá.
Paipa - 2525 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The complex was active from the late Pliocene, around 2.7 Ma, until the earliest Pleistocene, around 2.3 Ma.[2][3][4][5]
The complex at Iza consists of twodomes; Domo Holcim with 0.67 square kilometres (7,200,000 sq ft) and Domo Los Sauces 0.12 square kilometres (30 acres) in size. They consist ofporphyriticrhyolites withsanidine andplagioclase as dominant mineral groups and abundantxenoliths ofsedimentary rock and in minor quantitiesvolcanic ormetamorphic fragments. The overall rock composition is veryfelsic and comprisesbiotites andamphiboles as opaque minerals.[6]
The complex is studied for the potential ofgeothermal energy production.[7][8][9]
The complex is studied for the potential ofuraniummining.[10][11]
| Western Ranges |    | |
|---|---|---|
| Central Ranges | ||
| Eastern Ranges | ||
| Other | ||
| Source | ||
