Mojanda

{{Short description|Inactive stratovolcano in northern Ecuador}}

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Mojanda

| photo = Mojanda.jpg

| photo_caption = Caricocha in the Mojanda caldera. On the opposite side of lake, the páramo has been burned away to promote new growth for cattle grazing.

| elevation_m = 4,263

| elevation_ref =

| prominence =

| location = Between Imbabura Province and Pichincha Province, Ecuador

| range = Andes

| coordinates = {{coord|0.13|N|78.27|W|type:mountain|display=inline,title}}

| topo =

| type = Inactive stratovolcano

| age =

| last_eruption = Middle Pleistocene

| first_ascent =

| easiest_route =

}}

Mojanda is an inactive stratovolcano of the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes in northern Ecuador. A summit caldera, which was produced by an explosive Plinian Eruption that marked the end of Mojanda activity 200,000 years ago, is occupied by three crater lakes: Karikucha (the largest), Yanakucha, and Warmikucha.{{cite web | url = http://www.citiesonvolcanoes4.com/abstracts/numerados/487.doc | title = Potential hazards in case of unrest at Mojanda - Fuya Fuya volcanic complex, Ecuador | format = DOC | accessdate = 2006-03-17}} Having received protected status in 2002, they are a popular tourist destination and are about 20 minutes taxi ride from the largely indigenous town of Otavalo.

Mojanda is a complex of two volcanoes which were active simultaneously. The volcanic vents are only 3 km apart. The other volcano, which produced at least two Plinian Eruptions of its own, is known as Fuya Fuya. Fuya Fuya partially collapsed around 165,000 years ago, creating a large caldera to the west. A new volcanic cone and other lava domes subsequently extruded inside the caldera, probably during the Late Pleistocene.{{cite gvp|name=Mojanda|vn=352005|access-date=2021-06-28}}

The high altitude grasslands and shrublands of Mojanda, which lie above the cloud forests, are collectively known as páramo. They are frequently grazed by cattle.

{{wide image|Mojanda2.jpg|800px|A panorama taken in Mojanda volcanic lakes}}

{{clear}}