Ecuador’s Geophysical Institute is reporting that Reventador is currently erupting ash. Apparently, there is no threat to nearby Quito or any pipelines near the volcano. The volcano last erupted in 2007 (although the article incorrectly reports 2002) with small VEI 2 explosions and lava flows. The last major eruption was in 2002, a VEI 4 that spread ash over Quito and caused a number of fatalities. The 2002 eruption was an impressive one (see picture above), producing numerous lahars and a 17-km tall (~55,000 feet) ash column. This also makes two currently erupting volcanoes in Ecuador with the ongoing activity at Tungurahua.
5 responses to “Eruption at Reventador (Ecuador)”
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Hi Erik,
Just a correction: Ecuador has 3 ongoing erupting volcanoes. The other one is Sangay and it erupts on a regular basis, but it’s way in the jungle so you will only get to hear about it if you travel towards it.
Best,
Leonardo -
You mean *three* currently erupting volcanoes in Ecuador. People tend to forget about Sangay because it’s so isolated and has been erupting for so long (some say the longest eruption to date, but data is lacking on remote volcanoes like that and Erta Ale).
As for Reventador, it seems to be like those Alaskan volcanoes you mentioned in a recent post, switching from periods of ash and larger ejecta eruption to blocky lava flows, since the massive 2002 eruption, possibly as gassy pulses of andesite hit the surface. Definitely one to watch considering its proximity to Quito and the lahar-vulnerable oil pipelines that run along its flanks. -
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