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UPSC Prelims 2026Question 31Geography

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

Options

  1. (a)Ecuador
  2. (b)Peru
  3. (c)Bolivia
  4. (d)Colombia
Correct answer: a

Explanation

Correct Answer

(a) Ecuador

Explanation of the Correct Answer

  • Tungurahua Volcano is located in the Ecuadorian Andes.
  • UNESCO designated Tungurahua Volcano UNESCO Global Geopark as one of Ecuador’s new Global Geoparks in 2025.
  • UNESCO notes that Napo Sumaco and Tungurahua Volcano were officially recognized as new UNESCO Global Geoparks in Ecuador on 10 April 2025.
  • The official UNESCO page also describes Tungurahua Volcano UNESCO Global Geopark as being located in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Therefore, Tungurahua Volcano is situated in Ecuador.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

OptionCountryVerdictExplanation
(a) EcuadorEcuadorCorrectTungurahua Volcano is located in the Ecuadorian Andes and was declared a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2025.
(b) PeruPeruIncorrectPeru has several volcanoes in the Andes, but Tungurahua Volcano is not located there.
(c) BoliviaBoliviaIncorrectBolivia has Andean volcanic regions, but Tungurahua is not a Bolivian volcano.
(d) ColombiaColombiaIncorrectColombia has active volcanoes such as Nevado del Ruiz, but Tungurahua is not located in Colombia.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Tungurahua Volcano: Key Facts

ParameterDetails
VolcanoTungurahua Volcano
CountryEcuador
LocationEcuadorian Andes
TypeActive stratovolcano
UNESCO statusUNESCO Global Geopark
Year of recognition2025
Recognition date10 April 2025
Other Ecuador geopark recognized in 2025Napo Sumaco UNESCO Global Geopark
Meaning of TungurahuaOften translated as “Throat of Fire”
Geological importanceVolcanic and geological history spanning hundreds of millions of years

Some Important Volcanoes in Andean Countries

CountryImportant Volcanoes / Volcanic SitesNotes
EcuadorTungurahua, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, ReventadorEcuador lies on the Andean volcanic belt.
PeruUbinas, Misti, SabancayaSouthern Peru has several active volcanoes.
BoliviaSajama, Uturuncu, Licancabur regionVolcanic features are mainly linked to the Central Andes.
ColombiaNevado del Ruiz, Galeras, PuracéColombia forms part of the Northern Andean volcanic zone.

Key Takeaways from the Tables

  • Tungurahua Volcano = Ecuador.
  • It is part of the Ecuadorian Andes.
  • It became a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2025, along with Napo Sumaco from Ecuador.
  • South America has many Andean volcanoes, so the country-specific location is important.
PointExplanation
Tungurahua Volcano = EcuadorThis is the direct fact needed for the question.
Ecuador got two new geoparks in 2025Napo Sumaco and Tungurahua Volcano were added to UNESCO’s Global Geoparks list.
Tungurahua is an Andean volcanoIt lies in the Ecuadorian Andes, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are not just tourist sitesThey combine geological conservation, education, local development and sustainable tourism.
South American volcano questions can be confusingEcuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Colombia all have Andean volcanoes, so country-wise mapping is useful.

Context and Current Relevance

  • UNESCO’s 2025 recognition strengthens Ecuador’s position in geoheritage and sustainable tourism.
  • Tungurahua is significant not only as an active volcano but also as part of the larger Andean volcanic landscape.
  • Such geoparks promote conservation, education, local livelihoods, and responsible tourism.

Table: Important UNESCO Global Geoparks Recognized in 2025

UNESCO Global GeoparkCountryRegion / LocationKey Feature
Tungurahua VolcanoEcuadorEcuadorian AndesActive stratovolcano; “Throat of Fire”
Napo SumacoEcuadorAmazon Basin–Andes transition zoneSumaco Volcano and Amazonian geo-biodiversity
KanbulaChinaQinghai ProvinceDanxia landforms and Yellow River landscapes
YunyangChinaChongqing MunicipalityKarst landscapes and fossil/geological heritage
KebumenIndonesiaCentral JavaAncient oceanic crust and karst features
MeratusIndonesiaSouth KalimantanOphiolite rocks and Meratus mountain range
Mt PaektuNorth KoreaPaektu volcanic regionVolcanic caldera and crater lake
MurGEoparkItalyApulia regionKarst landscapes and cultural heritage
The Fjord CoastNorwayWestern NorwayFjords, coastal geology and glacial landscapes
DanyangSouth KoreaCentral South KoreaLimestone caves and karst topography
Gyeongbuk DonghaeanSouth KoreaEastern coast of South KoreaCoastal geological formations
North RiyadhSaudi ArabiaRiyadh regionDesert geological landscapes
SalmaSaudi ArabiaHail regionVolcanic and desert landforms
Costa QuebradaSpainCantabriaCoastal cliffs and sedimentary formations
ArranUnited KingdomScotland“Scotland in miniature”; varied geology
Lang SonVietnamNorthern VietnamKarst mountains and cave systems

UNESCO announced the addition of 16 new UNESCO Global Geoparks in 2025, bringing the network to 229 geoparks across 50 countries.

Table: Important Volcanoes in South America

VolcanoCountryMountain System / RegionImportant Point
TungurahuaEcuadorAndesDeclared UNESCO Global Geopark in 2025
CotopaxiEcuadorAndesOne of the world’s highest active volcanoes
ChimborazoEcuadorAndesEcuador’s highest peak; summit is farthest from Earth’s centre due to equatorial bulge
ReventadorEcuadorAndesHighly active volcano in northern Ecuador
UbinasPeruAndesPeru’s most active volcano
MistiPeruAndesLocated near Arequipa
SabancayaPeruAndesActive stratovolcano in southern Peru
Nevado SajamaBoliviaAndesBolivia’s highest mountain
LicancaburBolivia / Chile borderAndesSymmetrical stratovolcano near Atacama region
Nevado del RuizColombiaAndesKnown for the 1985 Armero disaster
GalerasColombiaAndesActive volcano near Pasto
Ojos del SaladoChile / Argentina borderAndesHighest active volcano in the world

Table: South American Countries and Notable UNESCO Global Geoparks

CountryUNESCO Global Geopark / Important Geoheritage SiteKey Feature
EcuadorImbabura, Napo Sumaco, Tungurahua VolcanoAndes, Amazon transition, volcanic landscapes
BrazilAraripe, Seridó, CaçapavaFossils, semi-arid landscapes, geological diversity
ChileKütralkuraVolcanic landscapes in the Andes
UruguayGrutas del PalacioSedimentary formations and caves
PeruNo major UNESCO Global Geopark in the 2025 listHas important Andean volcanic and archaeological landscapes
BoliviaNo major UNESCO Global Geopark in the 2025 listImportant high-altitude Andean and volcanic landscapes
ColombiaNo major UNESCO Global Geopark in the 2025 listHas active Andean volcanoes and biodiversity-rich mountain regions
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