The Cotopaxi volcano records a seismic signal while emitting ash

The Cotopaxi volcano registers a slight seismic signal inside it related to the emission of gases and ash within the low intensity eruptive process that began at the end of October, reported the Geophysical Institute (IG) of the National Polytechnic School.

The tremor detected by the seismic stations that monitor the activity of the volcano has been maintained since 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdaywhen it began associated with an emission of an ash column that reached 500 meters above the crater, it was detailed in a bulletin.

The IG details that the amplitude of the signal is low compared to the most active pulses of the current eruptive period of the volcano. Consequently, there is a low probability of ash fall in the areas surrounding the volcano.

However, the volcano woke up cloudy this thursdaywhich prevents having direct vision to observe the level of this expulsion of ash and gases.

Cotopaxi is located on the eastern cordillera (Real), at a distance of 35 km northeast of Latacunga and 45 km southeast of Quito. Its edifice forms a symmetrical cone with slopes of up to 35° and a basal diameter of ~20 km, while the crater diameter varies between 800 m in a north-south direction and 650 m in an east-west direction.

It is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. due to the frequency of its eruptions, its eruptive style, its relief, its glacial coverage and the number of populations potentially exposed to its threats.

Since the beginning of the Spanish conquest, Cotopaxi has presented five major eruptive periods: 1532-1534, 1742-1744, 1766-1768, 1853-1854 and 1877-1880.

Within a certain range, all the episodes have given rise to very dangerous volcanic phenomena, and there is no doubt that similar episodes will be repeated within decades, indicates the IG.

Some 10,000 people and four sectors could be the most affected in the Rumiñahui canton in the event of an eruption of the Cotopaxi volcano

Wear a mask and avoid outdoor activities, among tips for volcanic ash falls

The danger of Cotopaxi lies in the fact that its eruptions can give rise to the formation of huge lahars (mud and debris flows) that would travel through neighboring drainages to densely populated areas such as the inter-Andean valley between Mulaló and Latacunga and a part of the Chillos valley.

It has been estimated that more than 300,000 people currently live in areas threatened by lahars in the event of repeated eruptions similar to those that occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries. Additionally, the fall of ash produced during an eruption of Cotopaxi could affect a very significant part of the Sierra and the Coast of Ecuador.. (YO)