Firura Explained

Firura
Map:Peru
Location:Arequipa Region,
Peru
Coordinates:-15.2333°N -120°W
Elevation M:5498
Range:Andean Volcanic Belt,
Andes

Firura is an extinct volcano of the Central Andean Volcanic Belt, located in the Arequipa Region of southern Peru. Together with Sara Sara, Solimana and Coropuna it forms one of the Central Andean volcanoes. It is in the Andes, north of the Pucuncho Basin.

Description

Two domes form the Firura volcano, which has a low relief of . Lava flows and stratovolcanoes form a 10- long field. Aside from the main summit Firura, there also are Soncco Orcco, Jahsaya and separating Firura from Solimana Antapuna . The complex has generated basaltic or basaltic andesite lava flows that reach down into inhabited areas, as well as an ignimbrite resulting from the collapse of the ancient crater. A collapse of the crater was also responsible for the formation of a landslide dam in the Cotahuasi River valley. The date of the last volcanic activity is Pleistocene to Holocene, but it does not appear to be a significant hazard and is classified as a low-risk volcano.

Much of the southern side of the volcano above altitude is covered with perennial snow. A small glacier (>) is found on the southern summit of Firura and reaches down to . This glacier appears to be located above the local equilibrium line altitude.

Firura has well preserved moraine systems. A major moraine system with a relief of 80- was left by the Last Glacial Maximum, although expansion of glaciers on the northern flank was constrained on a high plateau. The prevalent aridity of the climate impedes the degradation of these moraines.