Paipa-Iza volcanic complex

Paipa–Iza volcanic complex
View of Iza volcano from the east
Highest point
Elevation	2,500–2,770 m (8,200–9,090 ft)
Parent peak	Altiplano Cundiboyacense
Coordinates	5°36′25.7″N 72°59′40.4″W / 5.607139°N 72.994556°W / 5.607139; -72.994556
Naming
Native name	Complejo volcánico de Paipa–Iza (Spanish)
English translation	"cacique Paipa & place of healing"
Geography
Paipa–Iza volcanic complex Location in Colombia
Location	Paipa & Iza, Boyacá  Colombia
Parent range	Eastern Ranges, Andes
Geology
Age of rock	Plio-Pleistocene
Mountain type	Volcanic field
Type of rock	Porphyritic plagioclase and sanidine-rich rhyolites
Volcanic belt	Andean Volcanic Belt  Northern Volcanic Zone
Last eruption	Early Pleistocene
Climbing
First ascent	Precolumbian
Easiest route	Drive to Paipa or Iza
Access	Partially restricted (quarries) Thermal baths touristic attraction

The Paipa–Iza volcanic complex is a volcanic field of Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene age on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. It is the northernmost volcanic complex of the Andean Volcanic Belt with Fueguino in Tierra del Fuego, Chile, at the opposite end of the Andean mountain belt.

The complex, comprising mainly felsic extrusive volcanic rocks as rhyolites, also is the only confirmed volcanic province in the Eastern Ranges, with traces of probably contemporaneous explosive volcanic activity in the vicinity of Guatavita, Cundinamarca.

The Paipa-Iza volcanic field is important as a touristic site with thermal baths in both Paipa and Iza and is being studied for the potential of geothermal energy production and for the extraction of uranium in the area.