Paipa-Iza volcanic complex

The Paipa–Iza volcanic complex is a volcanic field of Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene age on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. It is the northernmost volcanic complex of the Andean Volcanic Belt with Fueguino in Tierra del Fuego, Chile, at the opposite end of the Andean mountain belt.

Paipa–Iza volcanic complex
View of Iza volcano from the east
Highest point
Elevation2,500–2,770 m (8,200–9,090 ft)
Parent peakAltiplano Cundiboyacense
Coordinates5°36′25.7″N 72°59′40.4″W
Naming
Native nameComplejo volcánico de Paipa–Iza (Spanish)
English translation"cacique Paipa & place of healing"
Geography
Paipa–Iza volcanic complex is located in Colombia
Paipa–Iza volcanic complex
Paipa–Iza volcanic complex
Location in Colombia
LocationPaipa & Iza, Boyacá
 Colombia
Parent rangeEastern Ranges, Andes
Geology
Age of rockPlio-Pleistocene
Mountain typeVolcanic field
Type of rockPorphyritic plagioclase and sanidine-rich rhyolites
Volcanic beltAndean Volcanic Belt
 Northern Volcanic Zone
Last eruptionEarly Pleistocene
Climbing
First ascentPrecolumbian
Easiest routeDrive to Paipa or Iza
AccessPartially restricted (quarries)
Thermal baths touristic attraction

The complex, comprising mainly felsic extrusive volcanic rocks as rhyolites, also is the only confirmed volcanic province in the Eastern Ranges, with traces of probably contemporaneous explosive volcanic activity in the vicinity of Guatavita, Cundinamarca.

The Paipa-Iza volcanic field is important as a touristic site with thermal baths in both Paipa and Iza and is being studied for the potential of geothermal energy production and for the extraction of uranium in the area.

Etymology

The names Paipa and Iza originate in Muysccubun, the language of the indigenous Muisca, who inhabited the Altiplano Cundiboyacense before the Spanish conquest. Paipa was the name of a cacique who served under cacique Tundama of Duitama and Iza means "place of healing".[1]

Geography
Paipa-Iza volcanic complex is located in the Altiplano Cundiboyacense
Paipa
Paipa
Iza
Iza
Paipa and Iza on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense

The Paipa–Iza volcanic complex is located in the northern part of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at altitudes between 2,500 and 2,770 metres (8,200 and 9,090 ft). The northwestern part of the complex is situated in the municipality Paipa and the southeastern part in Iza, both belonging to the department of Boyacá.

Climate
Paipa - 2525 m
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
29
 
 
21
7
 
 
44
 
 
22
8
 
 
65
 
 
22
8
 
 
123
 
 
21
10
 
 
124
 
 
20
10
 
 
61
 
 
19
9
 
 
46
 
 
19
8
 
 
50
 
 
20
8
 
 
68
 
 
20
8
 
 
151
 
 
20
9
 
 
99
 
 
20
9
 
 
51
 
 
21
8
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Climate-data.org - Paipa
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.1
 
 
70
45
 
 
1.7
 
 
71
47
 
 
2.6
 
 
71
47
 
 
4.8
 
 
69
49
 
 
4.9
 
 
68
49
 
 
2.4
 
 
67
48
 
 
1.8
 
 
67
46
 
 
2
 
 
67
46
 
 
2.7
 
 
68
47
 
 
5.9
 
 
67
48
 
 
3.9
 
 
69
48
 
 
2
 
 
69
46
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

Paipa–Iza volcanic complex
Rhyolite from Holcim dome, Iza

The complex was active from the late Pliocene, around 2.7 Ma, until the earliest Pleistocene, around 2.3 Ma.[2][3][4][5]

The complex at Iza consists of two domes; Domo Holcim with 0.67 square kilometres (7,200,000 sq ft) and Domo Los Sauces 0.12 square kilometres (30 acres) in size. They consist of porphyritic rhyolites with sanidine and plagioclase as dominant mineral groups and abundant xenoliths of sedimentary rock and in minor quantities volcanic or metamorphic fragments. The overall rock composition is very felsic and comprises biotites and amphiboles as opaque minerals.[6]

Geothermal energy

The complex is studied for the potential of geothermal energy production.[7][8][9]

Resources

The complex is studied for the potential of uranium mining.[10][11]

Regional geology
Main articles: Altiplano Cundiboyacense § Geology, and Ocetá Páramo § Geology
See also: Eastern Hills, Bogotá § Geology

Cretaceous
Cretaceous stratigraphy of the central Colombian Eastern Ranges
AgePaleomapVMMGuaduas-VélezW Emerald BeltVilleta anticlinalChiquinquirá-
Arcabuco		Tunja-
Duitama		Altiplano CundiboyacenseEl Cocuy
MaastrichtianUmirCórdobaSecaerodedGuaduasColón-Mito Juan
UmirGuadalupe
CampanianCórdoba
Oliní
SantonianLa LunaCimarrona - La TablaLa Luna
ConiacianOliníVilletaConejoChipaque
GüagüaquíLoma GordaundefinedLa Frontera
TuronianHonditaLa FronteraOtanche
CenomanianSimitíhiatusLa CoronaSimijacaCapacho
Pacho Fm.Hiló - PachoChuruvitaUneAguardiente
AlbianHilóChiquinquiráTibasosaUne
TablazoTablazoCapotes - La Palma - SimitíSimitíTibú-Mercedes
AptianCapotesSocotá - El PeñónPajaFómeque
PajaPajaEl PeñónTrincherasRío Negro
La Naveta
Barremian
HauterivianMuzoCáquezaLas Juntas
RosablancaRitoque
ValanginianRitoqueFuratenaÚtica - MurcaRosablancahiatusMacanal
Rosablanca
BerriasianCumbreCumbreLos MediosGuavio
TamborArcabucoCumbre
Sources

See also

References
  1. (in Spanish) Etymology Municipalities Boyacá
  2. Jaramillo et al., 2005
  3. Monsalve et al., 2011
  4. Romero & Rincón, 1990
  5. Vesga & Jaramillo, 2009
  6. Monsalve et al., 2011, p.124
  7. Alfaro et al., 2010
  8. Mejía et al., 2014
  9. Moyano & Vallejo, 2015
  10. González Oviedo, 2009a
  11. González Oviedo, 2009b

Geology

Geothermal

Resources

Maps
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