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Ecuador volcano activity: Cotopaxi shoots ash two miles into the air, coating roads, homes and cars with powder | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A 2-mile-high (5km) plume of ash has exploded from a volcano near the capital of Ecuador, coating highways, homes and cars with grey powder before sunrise. | |
The authorities have restricted members of the public from accessing the park that surrounds the Cotopaxi, which is a popular mountaineering spot. | The authorities have restricted members of the public from accessing the park that surrounds the Cotopaxi, which is a popular mountaineering spot. |
Cotopaxi became active for the first time since 1877 in April, and is considered one of the world's most dangerous because of its proximity to a heavily populated area, and its glacial cover which makes it prone to fast-moving volcanic rock and mud flows. | |
However, government scientists have said that the snow-capped volcano, which towers at 5,987m high (19,600ft) and is 30 miles (50km) from Quito, does not seem to be on the verge of a major eruption. | However, government scientists have said that the snow-capped volcano, which towers at 5,987m high (19,600ft) and is 30 miles (50km) from Quito, does not seem to be on the verge of a major eruption. |
Patricio Ramon of Ecuador's geophysics institute explained that the explosions were an example of small phreatic eruptions. | |
Such volcanic activity occurs when molten rock meets water and causes steam to violently release. | Such volcanic activity occurs when molten rock meets water and causes steam to violently release. |
“The situation merits the population staying informed about what's happening with the volcano,” Ramon told Teleamazonas TV. | “The situation merits the population staying informed about what's happening with the volcano,” Ramon told Teleamazonas TV. |
People near to the volcano have been tweeting dramatic footage of the activity. | People near to the volcano have been tweeting dramatic footage of the activity. |
#Cotopaxi explosión 14:35 #Mulaló pic.twitter.com/45Qwm0RWwq | #Cotopaxi explosión 14:35 #Mulaló pic.twitter.com/45Qwm0RWwq |
fourth explosion in the Cotopaxi volcano, this column reached more than 5 km altitude #cotopaxinoticias pic.twitter.com/oe4VOwfWqr | fourth explosion in the Cotopaxi volcano, this column reached more than 5 km altitude #cotopaxinoticias pic.twitter.com/oe4VOwfWqr |
...Es viernes y e #Cotopaxi lo sabe!!! http://t.co/bN9TkTE8zh pic.twitter.com/IdnHUwiiFO | ...Es viernes y e #Cotopaxi lo sabe!!! http://t.co/bN9TkTE8zh pic.twitter.com/IdnHUwiiFO |
Additional reporting by AP | Additional reporting by AP |