ECUADOR-VOLCANO/COTOPAXI Cotopaxi Volcano erupts, spewing large column of ash

Record ID: 142995

  • Title: ECUADOR-VOLCANO/COTOPAXI Cotopaxi Volcano erupts, spewing large column of ash
  • Date: 22nd August 2015
  • Summary: SAN RAFAEL, ECUADOR (AUGUST 21, 2015) (REUTERS) COTOPAXI VOLCANO SPEWING ASH VARIOUS OF PLANES FLYING NEAR VOLCANO (MUTE) VOLCANO SPEWING ASH (MUTE) SAN RAFAEL WITH VOLCANO IN REAR VARIOUS OF SAN RAFAEL WITH VOLCANO IN REAR VARIOUS OF RESIDENTS LOOKING AT VOLCANO (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MARIA JOSE MALDONADO, SAN RAFAEL RESIDENT, SAYING: "I thought it was one of the strongest
  • Embargoed: 6th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ecuador
  • Country: Ecuador
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7SCY7RH555LUZIHPAO1B05WR1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Ecuador's massive Cotopaxi Volcano spewed ash and smoke up to 2 kilometres (1.24 miles) over its crater on Friday (August 21), according to authorities.
    The Geophysical Institute reported that the volcano, which has had sporadic activity since last week, entered an active state of eruption on Friday (August 21) after a 5:30 a.m. (1030 GMT) tremor.
    For almost three hours from noon (1700 GMT) to 1500 local time (2000 GMT), the Andean country's highest active volcano continuously emitted smoke and ash that covered nearby towns with a thick coat of soot.
    Authorities said that later in the evening, the emissions died down, containing primarily vapour and some ash.
    The town of San Rafael lies 45 kilometres north of the volcano in the Valle de los Chillos.
    Some residents here gathered outside to watch the impressive sight.
    "I thought it was one of the strongest, most beautiful explosions; it was spectacular from here. We can see it close up as if it were right here, beside San Rafael. It does scare us a bit. Hopefully, it won't be very strong. However, we're in a safe zone so I don't expect there to be serious problems here in the valley," said San Rafael resident Maria Jose Maldonado.
    The volcano is located around 50 km. (31 miles) south of Quito. Its snow-topped symmetrical cone, which rises to nearly 6,000 meters (19,685 ft), is visible from the capital on a clear day.
    Authorities have not ordered mandatory evacuations but have declared a state of emergency and are monitoring the situation closely.
    The last eruption took place in 1940, according to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program.
    Friday's minor explosions took place at 4:02 a.m. (0902 GMT) and 4:07 a.m. local time, according to the Geophysical Institute.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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