Cotopaxi has a summit elevation of 19,388 feet (5,911 m). It has erupted 50 times since 1738. The 1877 eruption melted snow and ice on the summit, which produced mudflows that traveled 60 miles (100 km) from the volcano.

The most recent eruption of Cotopaxi ended in 1904 and although there were reports of an eruption in 1942 these have never been confirmed. The most recent activity was an increase in steam emissions, melting snow, and small earthquakes in 1975 and 1976.