Page 124 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Volcano Tourism – Central and South American Examples 101

Pacaya (2552m) is a complex basaltic volcano along this rim, gradually climbing and circling
constructed just outside the southern topographic around to the base of the Pacaya cone. Just before
rim of the 14 × 16km Pleistocene Amatitlán reaching the summit, the trail turns back to the
caldera. A cluster of dacitic lava domes occupies left towards the old summit. To the right is the
the southern caldera floor. The post-caldera Pacaya currently active vent. If there is any explosive
massif includes the Cerro Grande lava dome and a activity it is best to continue to the old peak first.
younger volcano to the south-west. A collapse of After observing the activity from the old peak for
Pacaya volcano about 1100 years ago produced a a while a judgement can be made as to whether
debris-avalanche deposit that extends 25km onto or not it’s possible to approach the active vent.
the Pacific coastal plain and left an arcuate somma However, that is dangerous because in addition to
rim inside which the modern Pacaya volcano the possibility of being hit by a falling bomb
(MacKenney cone) grew. A subsidiary crater, during explosive eruptions, visitors to the rim
Cerro Chino, was constructed on the north-west must also be cautious about volcanic gases. Yellow
somma rim and was last active in the 19th century. sulphur sublimates on the rim trail attest to the
Pacaya’s current active phase began in 1965, and sulphurous gases pouring over the crater rim.
the volcano has been almost constantly in eruption When the volcano is in a phase of strombolian
since then. Eruptive activity ranges from minor eruptions or active flows, night-time views become
gaseous emissions and quiet steam eruptions, to very spectacular.
explosions powerful enough sometimes to hurl
bombs up to 12km and necessitate the evacuation Volcanoes of South America
of numerous villages on the flanks of the volcano.
Eruptions also include strombolian activity, Chile
vulcanian explosions, minor flows from the crater The Andean Arc covers the countries of Chile,
and larger flows emitted as flank eruptions. Peru, Ecuador and Columbia and includes 200
Highly active Pacaya volcano is also the most potentially active volcanoes (Table 7.1). This area
frequently climbed volcano in Guatemala. It is is seismically active due to the subduction of the
relatively accessible and commonly puts on a good Antarctic and Nazca plates below the South
show for volcano enthusiasts. Pacaya lies approxi- America plate. Where the angle of subduction is
mately 25–30km south of Guatemala City, is easily steep, that’s where the active volcanoes are
accessible from Antigua and Guatemala and from occurring. According to Corporation Nacional
Guatemala City itself. For tourists, the easiest and Forestal (CONAF), Chile’s Forestry and Parks
most secure way to visit Pacaya is to go with a Department, Chile has 94 national properties
licensed tour operator, of which there are numerous ranging from the Atacama Desert to Patagonian
in Antigua taking groups to visit Pacaya every day. icebergs: 31 national parks, 48 national reserves
In case tourists are not travelling with an organized and 15 national monuments. CONAF oversees,
tour, it’s better to hire a local guide. The easy trail, maintains and protects approximately 14 million
followed by most of the tour groups from Antigua, hectares, equivalent to 19 per cent of Chile’s
starts at San Francisco de Sales. That is the official territory.
entrance to the park, and the tourist needs to pay Chile has the region’s largest number of
admission. The trail is well maintained and is historically active volcanoes, with 36 (ranking it
patrolled by local rangers. fifth among nations, behind Russia’s 52 and ahead
The second trail starts from the complex of of Iceland’s 18). Chile is a country of startling
radio towers on the flank of Cerro Chino; it is a contrasts and extreme beauty, with attractions
bit tougher, but more rewarding for geology and ranging from the towering volcanic peaks of the
photogenic views. Before taking this trail tourists Andes to the ancient forests of the Lake District.
should still check in at the park headquarters in There are many volcano parks here, and plenty of
San Francisco de Sales and pay admission. This opportunities for adventure travel. Chile stretches
trail starts from the base of the steep climb up to over 4300km along the south-western coast of
the radio towers. The trail continues to the left South America. All along its length Chile is

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