Zapaleri
Mountain in South America
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zapaleri is a volcano whose summit is the tripoint of the borders of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. A number of railways are in the area.[2] The volcano formed on top of the 2.89 mya Tara Ignimbrite from the Guacha caldera[3] and the basement beneath the volcano is formed from Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks affected by tectonic deformation. Volcanic rocks are andesite, basalt, dacite and rhyolite.[4] Late Cretaceous rocks are also found in the area,[5] as are Pleistocene shoshonite volcanic rocks.[6]
| Zapaleri | |
|---|---|
| |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,643 m (18,514 ft)[1] |
| Listing | |
| Coordinates | 22°48′57″S 67°10′48″W |
| Geography | |
 Zapaleri, right down on the map | |
| Countries | Argentina, Bolivia and Chile |
| Parent range | Andes |
The Bolivian portion of the mountain is protected within Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve.[7] Moreover, it is close to the sector Salar de Tara-Salar de Aguas Calientes of Los Flamencos National Reserve, Chile.[8]
Zapaleri is associated with a major source of obsidian,[9] with a distribution sphere found in archeological sites over 350 kilometres (220 mi) wide.[10] The obsidian is found on the Bolivian side of the border next to Laguna Blanca. Another source is found on Solterio Mountain.[11] Inca and earlier archeological remains are associated with the obsidian sites.[12]