Volcanic belt Central Volcanic Zone First ascent Inca, pre-Columbian Elevation 6,288 m Listing Ultra-prominent peak | Last eruption Unknown Prominence 1,997 m | |
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Ampato (possibly from Quechua hamp'atu or from Aymara jamp'atu both meaning "frog") is a dormant 6,288-metre (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 6,025 m (19,767 ft) volcano Hualca Hualca at the northern end and the active 5,976 m (19,606 ft) cone of Sabancaya in the middle.
Map of Ampato, Peru
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 5,800 m (19,000 ft).