The active stratovolcano, located 80 miles away from Ecuador’s capital Quito, showed signs of restlessness from 21st April and eventually led to a strombolian eruption on 27th April.
The volcano which stands at 16,479 feet has erupted historically, with the last major eruption being in 1916. Since the eruption in 1999, which resulted in the evacuation of the town Banos due to pyroclastic flows, strong explosions, ash and lava flows, the volcano has been active. In the past the volcano has also claimed lives during explosive eruptions such as the 2006 eruption which killed four people.
The eruption forced schools and businesses to close and an evacuation of residents from the worse affected towns of Cusua, Bilbao and Chacabuco. No estimates have been made regarding the number evacuated and displaced. Although no casualties have been reported, there were a few injuries from burns and inhalation of ash which resulted in breathing difficulties.
Pyroclastic blocks, varying in sizes of which some reported as big as trucks, were also ejected during the eruption and forced 300 people to flee from their homes. According to the Smithsonian Institution, 10 km wide craters were created by the impact of these volcanic blocks.
Ash also travelled down wind and was reported in Guadalupe, 11 km away, Ambato, 31 km away and Mocha, 25 km away from the volcano. Lava flows and volcanic gases were also the hazards that posed a risk to the population during the eruption.
The latest activity also resulted in the diversion of flights due to the risk posed by ash to aviation. Ash is an abrasive rock which has previously resulted in billions of dollars worth of damage to flights and has also resulted in flight engines losing power in mid-air when passing through an ash cloud.
It is estimated that the damage to agriculture and livestock will be extensive. The eruption has continued into May.
By Saajeda Bandali
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