Cotopaxi is situated just south of Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. It is a classic stratovolcano and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Since 1738, it has erupted more than fifty times, making it one of the most active high-altitude volcanoes on Earth. Its symmetrical shape is iconic in South American geography. The main hazard associated with Cotopaxi is the melting of its massive ice cap during an eruption, which generates devastating mudflows called lahars. These flows can travel great distances, threatening communities in the valleys below and necessitating constant geological monitoring by authorities.