Ecuadorian Volcanoes - Ready to Erupt?

Volcano Cloud Rises Over Ecuador Capital

QUITO, Ecuador, Oct 7—Ecuador's Guagua Pichincha volcano belched out a giant mushroom cloud of ash on Thursday in its second major explosion in three days and it looked as if an atomic bomb had exploded over Quito.

People on their way to work stopped in amazement as the mushroom cloud rose 12 miles (20 km) over the city into a clear blue sky. There was little panic at the explosion of gas and ash, which scientists say does not necessarily herald an eruption.

The last time Guagua Pichincha, just 7.5 miles (12 km) from the city, erupted was in 1660.

Commuters left for work with protective masks at the ready, but the wind blew most of the choking ash away from Quito.

Volcano scientist Patricia Mothes from Ecuador's Geophysics Institute said Thursday's explosion was smaller than Tuesday's and there was no reason to change the state of volcano alert, downgraded to "yellow alert" on Monday after a tense week on "orange alert."

"It was of shorter duration than Tuesday's. The signal saturated instruments for six or seven minutes and was over very quickly," she told Reuters.

Last week was the first time an "orange alert," which means an eruption is expected in days or weeks, had been declared since scientific monitoring of the volcano began 20 years ago.

Quito Mayor Roque Sevilla praised people for remembering to carry protective masks and for learning to live with the volcano, which could regularly shower abrasive ash for years.

Some fashionably dressed women and businessmen carried rubber gas masks. But most people made do with less effective paper surgical masks, which street hawkers sell for $0.10 or $0.15—depending on whether ash is in the air at the time of sale.

Sevilla marvelled at the mushroom cloud: "In terms of natural beauty it was really spectacular."

President Jamil Mahuad accompanied scientists on a flight over the volcano minutes after the explosion.

The mayor said it would be impossible for Quito to stay on orange alert, in which schools are closed, for an extended period. Yellow alert means an eruption is possible in weeks or months, but probably not sooner.

Quito airport reopened on Thursday after being closed for more than 36 hours due to Tuesday's volcano explosion which dumped hundreds of thousands of tonnes of volcanic ash on most of the city for the first in centuries.

Scientists say there is a 45 percent chance the 16,000 foot (4,800 metre) Guagua Pichincha will erupt in the relatively near future. It could also continue for years with regular explosions expelling ash but not lava before returning to a dormant state.

Quito, cradled in the Andes at 9,600 feet (2,900 metres) above sea-level, is surrounded by nine active volcanoes, known as "volcano alley." No plans exist to evacuate Quito, even in a major eruption.

© 1999 Reuters

BANOS, Ecuador (CNN) -- The Ecuadorean government has ordered the evacuation of some 25,000 people from a popular tourist town as a nearby volcano continues to spew ash and appears on the verge of a major eruption.

Government authorities said there is an 80 percent chance the 16,278 feet (5,020 meter) Tungurahua Volcano, which towers over the scenic town 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of the capital, Quito will erupt within the next few days. The Ecuadorean Red Cross said the area was put on alert Saturday after monitors logged increased seismic activity.

What had been a voluntary evacuation was made mandatory with a deadline of Sunday afternoon. Officials said about half of those affected have already left. Those not heeding the order will be forcibly removed. The towns of Penipe, Puela, and Bilboa also are included in the evacuation order.

The volcano has already covered the surrounding areas with a blanket of ash. Officials said an estimated 40,000 chickens have died from respiratory infections.

Ecuador President Jamil Mahuad flew over the crater and says he's very concerned an eruption is imminent.

The live volcano is one of several attractions which makes Banos one of the countries most visited tourist attractions. Visitors come from around the world to experience its hot springs, waterfalls and tumbling green slopes.

Travelers to the area should use caution and prudence. Consult your consulate for additional information before traveling to this area of Ecuador.

Learn about Volcano Science from my About.com colleague.

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