June 17, 2015
A Restless Volcano Puts Ecuador on Edge Once More
Cotopaxi, located usually ~60 kilometers from Quito in Ecuador, has been wordless for roughly 75 years.
The most new reports from a IG-EPN, Ecuador’s volcano monitoring agency, contend that a volcano is feeling over 100 tiny earthquakes per day, along with a signature shock compared with liquid transformation during a volcano. This boost in seismicity was initial beheld in mid-May though has been solemnly augmenting ever since. Sulfur dioxide emissions are 5 times aloft than a credentials turn of ~500 tonnes/day. The steam-and-gas plume has also turn some-more prominent, reaching 1-kilometer in new days (and causing some alarm). The northeast flanks of a volcano are also experiencing low levels of belligerent inflation. Put all those signs together, and we have a volcano that is clearly heating up.
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link to weblog.ws]
A Restless Volcano Puts Ecuador on Edge Once More
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link to www.wired.com]
White Alert for Ecuadorian Volcano Cotopaxi
Quito, June 17.- National Secretary for Risk Management Maria del Pilar Cornejo confirmed today that continues the white alert for the Ecuadorian volcano Cotopaxi, in order to keep people ready in case of eruptions.
Though a sudden eruption is discarded, the state of alert will stay in the surroundings of the five thousand 943 meters Colossus, located 45 kilometers to the southeast of Quito, said the Secretary.
The mountain is considered one of the most dangerous in the world due to the frequency of emissions, glacier coverage and number of population potentially exposed to the volcano's threat.
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link to www.cadenagramonte.cu]
Cotopaxi is one of South America's most famous volcanoes and one of its most active ones. With its 5911 m it also ranks among the world's highest active volcanoes (26th highest).
The majestic, snow covered symmetrical stratovolcano is located on the Eastern Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes, 60 km south of Quito and 35 km northeast of Latacunga.
Cotopaxi's steep cone has nested summit craters, the outer of which measures 550 x 800 m in diameter.
Cotopaxi erupted more than 50 times since 1738. The most violent historical eruptions of Cotopaxi volcano were in 1744, 1768, 1877, and 1904. its eruptions often produced pyroclastic flows and destructive mud flows (lahars). Some lahars have travelled more than 100 km and reached the Pacific to the west and the Amazon Basin to the east.
At the moment, it has been dormant for over 70 years, which is an unusual long interval in its recent history.
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link to www.volcanodiscovery.com]
Cotopaxi – A most dangerous volcano
There is also an added risk formed by the volcano, and that is that ashes is likely to destroy the fresh-water supply and water plants that Quito depends on for its drinking water. Therefore the authorities also have to cope with planning for and trying to mitigate a likely water shortage that might be prolonged if a larger eruption occurs.
If a large lahar or pyroclastic flow would travel down the valley that leads into Quito there is a potential population of 1 800 000 residents. The local authorities know Cotopaxi well and the potential danger that it poses and mitigation and evacuation plans exist.
Conclusion
Due to the type and prolonged high count of seismic events combined with heightened degassing and inflation I think it is likely that Cotopaxi will erupt. If Cotopaxi erupts it is likely to be within a span from VEI-3 to VEI-4.
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link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com (secure)]
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