After 140 years, the long-inactive Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador ejected ash eight kilometers high on Friday. Its last recorded eruption was in 1877.
Following the shower of volcanic ash, it also erupted several times throughout the day, prompting officials to issue public warnings. Mayor Mauricio Rodas, Quito city mayor said that his office had already ordered the distribution of 2.3 million surgical masks.
The 5,897 meters (19,500 feet) high volcano is located 45 kilometers (30 miles) south of the capital Quito. According to the Geophysics Institute, Cotopaxi is one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes for two reasons: first, it has an immense amount of snow resting at its peak and secondly, Quito and neighboring areas are heavily populated.
Ecuador’s emergency management agency has already pegged the alert level to the midpoint of the scale, represented by the color yellow. The Environment Ministry also issued a directive that keeps tourists and mountain climbers off the area. As a result, 15 mountain climbers had to return home.
The eruption caught tourists by surprise. Ciudadana radio interviewed one tourist guide who recounted the time when the volcano first belched out ash. “I felt shocked, not knowing what to do as I saw everything moving. Then the strong odor of sulphur was detected across the mountain. The tourists as well were desperate, wanting to leave as soon as possible.”
The volcano is put under close monitoring. Head of the Environment Ministry Lorena Tapia said, “[We] decided to mobilise animal species in the area and move them to rescue centers.” The civil aviation directorate also announced that airports in Quito and Cotopaxi are still fully operational.
Brian Manzano, a hotel receptionist shared the horror he felt. “When I got up, I opened the door of the hotel and saw a car covered in ash. I do not know how long it has been falling.”
Ecuador has eight active volcanoes. Cotopaxi is among the most monitored among these volcanoes.
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