UPSC Prelims 2026·GS1·geography·world geography

Tungurahua Volcano, which was declared a Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2025, is situated in which one among the following countries ?

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Last updated 25 May 2026, 8:23 pm IST
  1. AEcuadorCorrect
  2. BPeru
  3. CBolivia
  4. DColombia

Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Why Option A is correct: Option A is correct because the Tungurahua Volcano is situated in the central Andean region of Ecuador. Known as the "Throat of Fire" in the local Quichua language, Tungurahua is a highly active stratovolcano. On April 10, 2025, the UNESCO Executive Council officially designated the Tungurahua Volcano as a Global Geopark. This prestigious status was awarded to recognize the area's extraordinary geological history—spanning over 417 million years—along with its dynamic glacial and volcanic activity, deep canyons, and robust sustainable eco-tourism efforts managed by local indigenous and rural communities.

Why the other options are incorrect:

  • Option B (Peru) is incorrect: Although Peru shares the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ring of Fire (hosting renowned volcanoes like El Misti), Tungurahua is strictly located to its north, in Ecuador.
  • Option C (Bolivia) is incorrect: Bolivia is an Andean nation known for remarkable high-altitude geological formations such as the Salar de Uyuni, but it does not contain the Tungurahua Volcano.
  • Option D (Colombia) is incorrect: Colombia borders Ecuador to the north and features its own famous stratovolcanoes (such as Nevado del Ruiz and Galeras), but Tungurahua falls entirely within Ecuadorian provincial borders.

Concluding Takeaway: To remember its location, you can associate the "T" in Tungurahua with the "E" in Ecuador, or simply remember that this specific "Throat of Fire" burns near the Equator (Ecuador). Tungurahua's 2025 UNESCO designation further solidifies Ecuador's reputation as a hotspot for global geological conservation.

geography: Tungurahua Volcano, which was declared a Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2025, is situated in which one among the following

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