Mountain peak amazing beauty, sometimes snow-covered, can be seen near the city of Arequipa. This is the volcano El Misti (5822 m), also known as Putin. On the upper level of the symmetrical cone of the volcano has two concentric crater. The maximum outer diameter of the crater is 930 metres, the maximum inner diameter of the crater is 550 m.

Wind blowing between the El Misti volcano and mountain-Cerro-Thakoon (4715 m) contributed to the formation of spectacular parabolic dunes extending up to 20 km downwind.

The El Misti volcano shows periodic activity since the beginning of historical records the arrival of Europeans to the territory of Latin America. The first record of a strong eruption of El Misti volcano dates back to 1438. Other eruptions have also been reported from the mid-fifteenth century. The most recent activity reportedly took place from may to October 1948. In 1959 there was an increase in the temperature of groundwater. The last activity was in 1985 - in the form of a powerful blast of steam from the six holes of the inner crater. Periodic fumarolic activity also true summit craters of the volcano.

The second largest city in Peru, Arequipa is located only 18 km (horizontal) and 2, 5 km (vertical) from the top of the volcano. In addition, the city is located along the gorge of El Huarangal on the Western slopes of the volcano. Such factors as the lack of eternal ice on the volcano, reduces the risk of debris flows, but a significant risk to the city of Arequipa is still, as it is built on the ashes and debris flows eruptions of El Misti volcano more than 2,000 years ago.

The geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) in its report dated June 24, 2014 reported that in the last 12 months, the seismicity of the volcano El Misti volcano has increased. Two seismic earthquakes occurred in the last three months - may 19 and June 3, 2014.

The history of the eruptions of El Misti volcano, as well as its close proximity to the second largest city in Peru, making it one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.