97

Chimborazo Mountain, Ecuador

Chimborazo volcano (1º30´S, 78º48´W) is located in the Inter-Andean Rift zone, a north-northeast-oriented structural depression that separates the Western and Eastern Cordilleras of the Andes in Ecuador. It is a Quaternary volcano that has not erupted in the historical times. The elevation of the summit reaches 6,310 m. The summit of Chimborazo constitutes the most remote point from the center of the earth due to its high elevation, the location of the mountain near the equator, and the oblate spheroid shape of the earth.

The highest Ecuador volcano Chimborazo was formed by andesite and dacite lavas of mostly Pliocene-Pleistocene age. The collapse of the original stratovolcano approximately 35,000 years ago dammed up the Rio Chambo River and created a temporary huge lake. The following eruptions subsequently built up a complex of three more craters; the present volcano is located on its most western part. The historical volcanic activity is not known, but the recent pyroclastic sediments are geologically relatively young; they probably originated in the mid-Holocene age.

Figure 73 is a lovely image of a sleeping volcanic giant towering above the peaceful scenery below it. The picture is a copy of the original sketch by A. v. Humboldt of 1799 and was taken from the later edition of “Bilderbuch für Kinder” (the Encyclopedia for Youth) (Bertuch 1791&).

Von Humboldt had a personal relation to Chimborazo. According to his own assessments, which he acquired during

his visit in Ecuador, he became convinced that the Chimborazo was the highest mountain in the world (no doubt, his igno-rance was featured by that time poor knowledge of the Himalayas). In 1799, Humboldt, together with his friend Bonpland, decided to ascend the mountain, and really, they almost managed it regardless of their little skill and poor equipment. Close to the top, totally exhausted and chilled to the bone, both researchers reconsidered their chances and decided to return. Humboldt did not conquer the volcano, but he saved his life and lived another 60 years (he died in 1859). His achievement, however, might be a record, the highest alpinist climbing reached by that time (Humboldt 1810). Actually, the fi rst recorded ascent of the Chimborazo Mountain summit was made later by the famous British alpine climber and explorer Edward Whymper, who climbed Chimborazo twice in 1880.

The above picture, in which Chimborazo plays a dominant role, brings good examples of the local fl ora (succulents, century plant) and fauna (llamas), which all confi rm the drawer’s broad cognitive interest. It may be interesting to mention that in the original Humbold’s painting, a model depiction of Fig. 73, the author portrayed himself and his friend Bonpland in the picture foreground when making preparations for their ascent of Chimborazo. In the copy reproduced here, fi gures of both researchers were removed and substituted by depiction of local fl ora and fauna.

J. Kozák and V. Čermák, The Illustrated History of Natural Disasters,© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

98 Chimborazo Mountain, Ecuador

Fig. 73 Chimborazo with examples of fl ora, fauna and local inhabitants. Hand colored copper engraving. Private collection, Prague