Licancabur, an enormous stratovolcano shrouded in myth, casts its shadow over the town of San Pedro de Atacama and the surrounding altiplano—and over the imagination of those who dwell there.

And now, mine too.

Its summit cradles one of the world's highest crater lakes, said to contain Inca gold and a mysterious sphere which, if disturbed, will provoke the volcano's wrath.

2025