| Nevado del Quindío | |
| Elevation M: | 4760 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Listing: | Los Nevados National Natural Park |
| Range: | Central Ranges Andes |
| Location: | Risaralda, Quindío & Tolima |
| Map: | Colombia |
| Label: | Nevado del Quindío |
| Coordinates: | 4.7156°N -75.3883°W |
| Type: | Andesitic volcano |
| Easiest Route: | Cocora valley, Quindío |
The Nevado del Quindío, also known as Volcán Paramillo del Quindío or simply Paramillo del Quindío, is an inactive volcano located in the Central Cordillera of the Andes in central Colombia. The summit marks the tripoint of the departments of Risaralda, Tolima, and Quindío, and is the highest point of the latter. The mountain is the fourth highest peak in Los Nevados National Natural Park among those with a topographic prominence exceeding 300 meters. There are no historical records of any eruption. The andesitic volcano is located on top of the Palestina Fault.[2] [3]
The mountain formerly had glaciers, which disappeared in the second half of the 20th century due to changing climatic conditions associated with global warming. Presently there is no permanent ice, only intermittent snow. The mountain's alternative designation as "paramillo" (like paramo, a high-elevation area of sparse vegetation exposed to wind, rain, and cold) reflects this new reality, whereas the term "nevado" inaccurately implies continuous snow cover.
The mountain area offers beautiful landscapes, attracting touristic visits all the year. The lower part is a cloud forest habitat, rich in endemic species.
Botanist and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt visited the area in 1801, describing new species such as the frailejón.
The postal service of Colombia, AdPostal, released a postal stamp featuring the Nevado del Quindío and Von Humboldt, to celebrate the anniversary of his visit. It is a stratovolcano or composite volcano, evidenced by geological studies.
A watercolor painting of the volcano by Manuel María Paz (1820–1902) is held by the National Library of Colombia.[4]