Authorities from the Ecuador's Geophysics Institute confirmed with news agency ANDES that on Friday morning, Aug. 14, Ecuador volcano Cotopaxi has belched massive plumes of ash reaching as high as three miles into the sky.
Amidst the show of enormous ash, the scientists affiliated with the government confirmed that no impending major eruption is likely to occur. Officials, nonetheless, imposed limitations in parks surrounding the volcano.
The explosions, which occurred before dawn, were phreatic eruptions, says Patricio Ramon from the country's Geophysical Institute. These types of eruptions develop when magma or molten rock combines with water, resulting in the release of a forceful steam.
A yellow alert was announced following the explosions, says Maria del Pilar Cornejo, one of the leading disaster officials in Ecuador. Through the said alert, evacuations were not deemed necessary; however, officials will still continue to map out a plan and prepare logistical requirements in anticipation of possible emergency.
A yellow alert is the lowest among the three alerts than can be raised. This warning is announced to instruct the residents to take precautionary measures such as donning masks for the protection of the nose and mouth. According to Mayor Mauricio Rodas, an order to release about a million surgical masks for the people have already been in place.
Meanwhile, the Environment Ministry announced that tourists were restricted access to the volcano. The authorities have also cancelled mountain climbing activities to the peak, with 15 climbers asked to go home. The airports in Quito, the country's capital, have maintained their operations despite the recent events, says the civil aviation directorate.
Cotopaxi stands about 19,500 feet in height and is located 30 miles south of Quito. According to the Geophysics Institute, this volcano is among the most threatening volcanoes in the whole world as it is situated proximal to residential areas and contains a huge pile of snow at its peak.
The last major eruption of Cotopaxi was in 1877, whereby muddy debris have been transported up to about 62 miles. The volcano began presenting signs of renewed activity in April 2015.
Photo: Jaime Golombek | Flickr
