Volcano Doña Juana
Doña Juana Volcano is a tall inactive stratovolcano located in western Colombia, in the Central Cordillera Mountains. The regular shaped volcanic cone is composed of igneous rocks, andesite and dacite, and rises to a height of 4,150 meters. The dormant volcano rises above the territory of the Doña Juana-Cascabel Volcanic Complex National Park, and 56 kilometers away is the most active and largest Colombian volcano, Galeras.
General information
Doña Juana volcano was active from 1897 to 1906. During violent eruptions, powerful pyroclastic flows were carried down its slopes, and the top of the cone grew rapidly. Ejections of red-hot ash, gases and rocks caused the deaths of about 100 residents of the surrounding villages and led to the destruction of many houses.
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The picturesque volcano consists of two calderas that emerge from the southwest and northeast sides of the cone. Scientists believe the older northeastern caldera formed about 12,000 years ago. The summit of Doña Juana unites several lava domes. The ascent here justifies all expectations! From the top you have a magnificent view of the green valleys and forested elephants of the surrounding mountains.
.The area surrounding the volcano is characterized by exceptional biodiversity. The national park is home to bears, pumas, tapirs and deer. The forests and mountain slopes are home to 471 species of birds, including the rare Andean condor. And when climbing the volcano, tourists pass through the scenic Orchid Valley.
.Although more than a century has passed since the last eruption, volcanologists say Doña Juana is latently active. They warn of a high risk of new eruptions and consider this volcano to be potentially dangerous.
How to get there
Doña Juana Volcano is located in western Colombia, in the department of Nariño. To the borders of the national park, from where it is possible to climb the mountain, tourists get to the boundaries of the national park by a road from the Colombian city of Mercaderes through San Pablo and La Cruz. Routes to the top of Doña Juana start from the village of Las Mesas, located to the west of the volcano.
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