On February 19, 2000, Space Shuttle Endeavour passed over the highly active and dangerous volcanic zone of the Andes in Ecuador. Endeavour mapped elevations on most of the Earth’s land surface during the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). There have been more than 50 eruptions of Mt. Cotopaxi alone since 1738.

The digital elevation model acquired by SRTM, with its resolution of 25 m x 25 m, is so rich in detail that you can even make out an inner crater with a diameter of 120 m by 250 m inside the outer crater (800 m x 650 m). Blue and green correspond to the lowest elevations in the image, while beige, orange, red, and white represent increasing elevations.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

Image courtesy of NASA. NASA images are in the public domain and may be used for free, however certain restrictions may apply. This public domain image may not be used in any way suggesting approval or endorsement of any people appearing in the photos. Please read the NASA guidelines for use for more information and info about using the NASA insignia logo and other intellectual property that may appear in these NASA public domain images.

Stock photography by NASA Public Domain

Copyright: United States Government Works

• Model Release: No


• Property Release: No

* This is a public domain image

Licensing Stock Photography?
Use the Lightbox to save and view photos and images.