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Cuicocha, Ecuador
By Charlie Burnett | December 1, 2008
Cuicocha is a 3 km wide caldera and crater lake at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano in the Cordillera Occidental of the Ecuadorian Andes. Its name comes from the Kichwa Indigenous language and signifies: “Lago del Cuye” or Guinea Pig Laguna in English.
It was given this name due to the shape of the largest Island located in the middle of the Laguna resembling a Guinea Pig. These animals play a significant part in the everyday life of Ecuadorians, as it reproduces rapidly and needs a minimum of food and care to survive, it makes for an excellent high protein meal especially for populations living in altitude.
The caldera was created by a massive phreatic eruption about 3100 years ago that generated about 5 cubic kilometres of pyroclastic flow and covered the surrounding area in volcanic ash up to 20 cm deep. The volcano has been dormant since that time. In combination with other eruptions from nearby Imbabura, Mojanda, Cotacachi, and Cayambe, Cuicocha is responsible for the fertile soil of the Otavalo valley.
Topics: Travelers Tips |
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