%The president of #Ecuador declared a #stateofemergency for the country because of the sudden increase in #volcanicactivity.% - http://clapway.com/2015/08/16/ecuador-state-of-emergency-volcano-101/

Volcanic Activity Officially Considered an Emergency

On Friday, the Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador experienced more activity than it had in well over a century. Initially, people were told that it was not time to panic due to the explosions. Today, however, officials are telling a much different story. Rafael Correa, the Ecuadorian president, has decided to declare a state of emergency for the country directly tied to the sudden increase in volcanic activity. Besides the obvious safety precautions Ecuador residents should take, this decree is also due in large part to a declaration allowing more flexibility in remedying the situation with government funds.

Cotopaxi Has Been Under Watch For Months

Ecuador has actually been keeping an eye on Cotopaxi for a little while now. The Ecuadorian Geophysics Institute noticed a worrying increase in activity around June and has been actively monitoring it ever since. Any activity would make Ecuador monitor Cotopaxi, no matter how small. Cotopaxi’s glacial cover allows for a much faster volcanic flow of rock and mud. As such, it’s considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the entire world. Any visible activity would inevitably lead to a state of emergency on the part of Ecuador.

Volcanic Eruptions Traveled to Ecuador’s Capital

Arguably, the tipping point in Ecuador declaring a state of emergency was the distance traveled for the Cotopaxi eruption. The eruptions began very early Friday morning, and since then the distance has been astonishing. Ash has been shot upwards of two miles into the sky. Because of that height, gray powdered ash has found its way onto the roads, cars, and homes of Ecuador residents upwards of 30 miles north. That is dangerously close to, if not actually in the Ecuador capital of Quito. With relatively small explosions traveling that far, a state of emergency was needed lest volcanic activity continue and lead to an even larger eruption.

Shutdowns and Evacuations

The park in Ecuador that surrounds Cotopaxi is not currently accessible to visit. Similarly, authorities are not allowing mountaineers to climb Cotopaxi’s snow-capped peak. While Cotopaxi continues to be monitored, a few hundred people have been evacuated from nearby residential areas to avoid being hit by the volcanic ash.

PROOF THE WORLD HAS NOT YET ENDED BELOW:

Ecuador Declares State of Emergency as Volcano Spews Ash

Cotopaxi Volcano Stirs Spewing Ashes - http://clapway.com/2015/08/15/cotopaxi-volcano-stirs-spewing-ashes345/

Two small explosions were reported on Friday morning (4:02 a.m. and 4:07 a.m. local time) at the famous Cotopaxi volcano, which later started raining down grey ashes on Quito, Ecuador’s capital.

Cotopaxi Volcano is Not Experiencing an Eruption

Even though the volcano is not erupting, according to the Ecuador’s Geophysical Institute, Cotopaxi volcano has been showing activity signs since April. Earthquakes and SO2 emissions have made local residents nervous, since it is considered one of the most dangerous active volcanoes in the world. Cotopaxi volcano is considered to be so unsafe due to a glacial cover that makes it prone to fast-moving volcanic rock and mudflows, or lahars, as well its proximity to a populated area. Patricio Ramon, who works for Ecuador’s geophysics institute, told Teleamazonas TV that there is no reason to panic just yet, “the explosions were small phreatic eruptions, which occur when molten rock, or magma, meets water and produces a violent steam release,” and continued by explaining that the incident is a very good chance for people to get to know more about Cotopaxi volcano, “The situation merits the population staying informed about what’s happening with the volcano.”

Precautionary Measures

The authorities of Ecuador and the Environment Ministry, who are monitoring the activity, closed the Cotopaxi National Park as a precaution and suspended ascents of the peak, which is popular with mountaineers. They also advise climbers to be careful around the crater given the possibility of explosions, which may release rocks or energetic emissions of vapor and volcanic gases that could be harmful.

The History of Cotopaxi Volcano

The volcano is located 31 miles south of Quito, and it is visible from the capital city because of its size which reaches the impressive height of 19,685 feet. The last time an eruption took place was back in 1940, and the last increased activity was recorded in 2002, when ice around the inside and on the southeastern side of the cone started to melt. However, no actual eruption was observed since the last major disaster 1877.

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Stay hydrated while escaping floods of lava with Hidrateme smart water bottle.

Cotopaxi Volcano Stirs Spewing Ashes

Ecuador: Wolf Volcano Erupts, Risks Upon Galapagos Habitats - http://clapway.com/2015/05/26/ecuador-wolf-volcano-erupts-risks-upon-galapagos-habitat-123/

The Wolf Volcano erupts on Isabela Island in the Galapagos Island chain and sparks worry that it is causing significant harm to the the unique habitat on the islands. The Wolf Volcano is on the northern tip of Isabela Island, which is the largest of the islands in the Galapagos chain. This is the first time the Wolf Volcano erupts in more than 30 years, and although it is not endangering any humans, it could pose a threat to many species of animals that live and travel only in this particular region of the world.

Wolf Volcano Erupts, Lava Headed Southwest

According to officials at the Galapagos National Park the Wolf Volcano lava flow is heading southwest, while the habitats with animals such as the iguanas and giant tortoises that live on the islands are mostly located in the northwest region of the islands.

The Ecuador Geophysics Institute officials added that the smoke from the Wolf Volcano eruption was seen to travel about six miles or 10 kilometers into the air and be headed in a southwesterly direction. Seismic activity has also been reported in the past few weeks in the area of the Sierra volcano, also located on Isabela Island where the Wolf Volcano eruption is taking place.

Galapagos Island is Protected World Heritage Site

The Galapagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has already been declared endangered due to things such as invasive species and too much tourism. There are 13 islands and 17 islets in the chain of Galapagos and it is considered to have a very active area of volcanos, so the fact that Wolf Volcano erupts from time to time is not surprising. It is not close to a human population, but the island is home to species like the unique pink iguanas, which are the only iguanas of their kind in the world, and are already marked as an endangered species.

Pink Iguanas Safe on North Side of Island

While officials now believe the iguanas are likely safe, other problems could occur, such as the harming of marine life as the lava flows into the sea or other issues for animals or people living wherever the ash cloud from the Wolf Volcano eruption settles. Officials are watching as the Wolf Volcano erupts, standing by to see if it is necessary for them to travel to the regions to protect people or endangered species as the volcanic eruption continues to take its toll on the Galapagos Island.

Ecuador: Wolf Volcano Erupts, Risks Upon Galapagos Habitats