Quito, 29.10. (Prensa Latina) The Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador continues today with an unchanged trend compared to the last few days, according to experts, who confirmed the emission of gases with “magmatic contribution”.
The Geophysical Institute of the National Polytechnic School (Igepn) continues to monitor the behemoth, which was reactivated a week ago and resulted in a yellow alert being declared in its areas of influence.
In this report from Saturday morning, Igepn shares that the surface and interior activity of the volcano, located 45 kilometers southeast of Quito, are showing low levels.
The technicians explained that the gases escaping from the crater contain sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, two compounds that make “a magmatic contribution”.
After several studies, the specialists projected two possible scenarios: one, considered the most likely, indicates a relatively isolated event; and another, more dangerous one, pointing to the possible beginning of a new eruption process, the magnitude of which could not be determined.
This week, experts from the National Service for Risk and Emergency Management (SNGR), together with the armed forces and the Igepn, conducted a flyover to analyze the condition of the volcano and in the released video the gases escaping from the interior can be observed.
Despite the situation, the national park where Cotopaxi is located has been open to domestic and foreign tourists since last Wednesday, albeit with restrictions on high-mountain activities.
Located in the Andes, about 45 kilometers southeast of Quito, Cotopaxi is the second highest mountain in the country at 5,897 meters above sea level.
His previous awakening occurred on August 14, 2015 after being inactive for 138 years.
Ecuador is located in what is known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, where some of the most important tectonic plates in the world with high levels of seismic and volcanic activity are located.
There are currently 27 potentially active volcanoes in the country, including those belonging to the Galapagos Islands, according to Igepn.
mv/avr