Cono de Arita
| Cono de Arita | |
|---|---|
  Cono de Arita Los Andes Department, Salta Province, Argentina | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,689 m (12,103 ft) |
| Prominence | 195–205 m (640–673 ft) |
| Coordinates | 25°01′05″S 67°43′45″W / 25.01806°S 67.72917°WCoordinates: 25°01′05″S 67°43′45″W / 25.01806°S 67.72917°W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. |
| Geography | |
| Location | Los Andes Department, Salta Province, Argentina |
| Parent range | Puna de Atacama |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Incomplete stratovolcano / volcanic cone |
The Cono de Arita (Spanish: Arita Cone) is a conical geological formation located at the southern end of the Salar de Arizaro, a large salt flat in the Puna de Atacama region of Salta Province, northwestern Argentina. Rising approximately 200 metres above the surface of the salt flat at an elevation of 3,689 metres above sea level, the cone has a base diameter of roughly 800 metres and a perimeter of 2.4 kilometres.[1] It is widely described as one of the most geometrically perfect natural cones in the world.[2]
Geology
The Cono de Arita is classified as an incomplete stratovolcano: a volcanic cone whose magma lacked sufficient force to produce an eruption. As a result, the formation has no crater and shows no evidence of lava flow, which accounts for its closed, symmetrical profile.[1] The cone's surface is composed of dark volcanic rock and salt, contrasting sharply with the white expanse of the surrounding salar.[3]
According to geologist Ricardo Alonso, the cone sits atop igneous rocks approximately 180 million years old, though the cone itself is considerably younger. Its nearly circular footprint measures approximately 700 metres north-south and 800 metres east-west.[4] Alonso has noted that while natural forms rarely approximate ideal geometric shapes, the Cono de Arita approaches a near-Platonic cone, though its symmetry is not perfectly uniform from all viewing angles.[4]
The Salar de Arizaro itself is an endorheic salt flat formed between 5 and 10 million years ago, whose salt is of volcanic origin rather than from ancient seas. The salt water was ejected by volcanoes and geysers and evaporated over millennia.[5]
Etymology
The origin of the name "Arita" is debated. The most common explanation derives it from the Aymara word meaning "sharp" or "pointed", a direct description of the cone's profile.[1] An alternative etymology traces the name to the Kunza language, in which it is said to mean "nest of the condor", referring to Andean condors that descended to the area to feed.[6]
Cultural significance
The cone's precise geometry, its isolated position in the vast salt flat, and its association with the surrounding mineral landscape have led to speculation about its use by pre-Columbian peoples. Archaeological evidence suggests that pre-Inca civilisations may have used the site as a ceremonial centre, conducting rituals associated with Pachamama.[1][7] The formation's resemblance to a man-made pyramid led some early observers to believe it was an artificial construction, though geological studies have confirmed its natural origin.[1]
In the mid-20th century, workers from nearby onyx quarries operated by the Cvitanic family left a commemorative plaque at the summit of the cone.[4]
Access and conservation
The Cono de Arita is located approximately 70 kilometres from the village of Tolar Grande and about 600 kilometres from the city of Salta. Access is by unpaved road and requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. The route from Salta follows Ruta Nacional 51 through the Quebrada del Toro and San Antonio de los Cobres, then continues via Ruta Provincial 27.[3]
Climbing the cone is not permitted in order to preserve the formation's integrity. The surrounding area is rich in mineral resources including lithium, copper, onyx, and marble, and the Salar de Arizaro lies within the Lithium Triangle.[3][7]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Celeste Sawczuk (7 April 2025). "El enigmático Cono de Arita: una maravilla geológica en el corazón de la Puna salteña". Infobae (in español). Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ "Cono de Arita: la formación volcánica que tiene una forma cónica natural perfecta". Billiken (in español). Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ramiro Viñas (29 August 2024). "Una pirámide natural de 200 metros en Argentina: un paseo único para visitar sí o sí". Los Andes (in español). Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Ricardo Alonso: Cono de Arita, maravilla geológica de la Puna". Club Minero (in español). Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ "Salar de Arizaro and Tolar Grande". JNomade. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ "Cono de Arita en Salta: el misterioso "volcán flotante" oculto en el Salar de Arizaro". Canal 26 (in español). 23 April 2026. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Viajar a Salta: la pirámide natural que impacta en medio de la Puna". C5N (in español). 26 September 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
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