Nevados Coropuna and Solimana, Andes Mountains, Southern Peru
10 May 2012

Note: The area of coverage in this XSAT image is 40 km x 40 km.
The reduced resolution image on display has undergone compression and so does not represent the true resolution of the original satellite image.

This is part of the volcanic highlands of the Andes Mountains in south Peru. There are two snow-covered volcanic complexes in the image, both above 6000 m. The large stratovolcano of Coropuna, located towards the southeast of the image is higher, reaching 6425 m. The other, Nevado Solimana, is 6093 m. Neither volcano shows any sign of geothermal activity, permanent ice covering both summits. Their edifices rise steeply from a basal surface, especially on the southern flank. The top of Coropuna resembles a plateau with six peaks rising from it, the highest peak being located towards the northwest. Both volcanoes have been heavily dissected. The surface on which the two volcanoes stand is an assemblage of eroded volcanic flows, canyons, and lakes. This image in false colour (vegetation red) indicates that most of the area is bare. Steep roads traverse the landscape. Despite the elevation, several sites of religious and archaeological importance have been found in this area, especially near Coropuna.