Reventador - background of the Volcano - current state - ERUPTING
(it is interesting that this volcano tripped into eruption as the other volcano which was erupting south of there, Tungurahua, started to quiet down - the question was where is the molten magma moving? Timing wise, the Reventador volcano activated about the same time as the Solar particle field from the previous CME and geomagnetic storm was reacting on Tungurahua)
Structure and eruptive history
Reventador volcano consists of three successive volcanic edifices (INECEL, 1988).
This is constituted as a Basal Volcanic Complex (CVB) and is a stratovolcano that began construction about 350 000 to 400 000 years before present (BP).
This building evoked a large sector collapse, which caused an eruption and debris avalanche deposit of approx. 20 km.
This event occurred estimated about 30 000 years BP.
Its emission products include volcanic lavas and andesitic and andesitic breccias and some basic lavas and pyroclastic deposits of more differentiated composition (andesites and rhyolites).
The intermediate volcano nearby, called Paleo Reventador Volcano (VPR), is also a stratovolcano.
The growth with a pyroclastic avalanche from the caldera directed towards the East, is easily recognizable in the current topography and avalanche deposit is estimated at 8 km.
The age of this event is estimated at 20 000 years BP.
The compositional range of volcanic products of this building is restricted to basic and intermediate components, (basalts, andesites and basic andesites ).
The primary cone, called Volcano Reventador (VER), is built into the latest avalanche caldera.
As for VPR building skywards, this presents as a restricted cone of volcanic products ranging from basic andesites and andesites range.
Reventador Volcano. Photo C. Ulloa, Nov/2001
The current building (VER), is one of the most active volcanoes of the Ecuadorian arc, being especially active during the twentieth century.
Important activity has been reported in the 20's (1922, 1926, 1929), in 1936, in 1944, in the 50's (1955, 1958, 1960) and 70 (1972, 1973-1974 and 1976).
Of these periods deserve special attention eruptions 1944 (VEI ~ 3), in which an ashfall in Quito reported for 5 hours, and the eruption of 1976 (VEI ~ 2), which was observed and described by ML Hall (Hall, 1980).
During the historical periods of activity, the level of explosivity of these eruptions has been moderate (VEI 2-3), with an eruptive dynamism that can be classified as Strombolian or Vulcan.
Volcanic phenomena generally were recognized during these eruptions with moderate ash falls in the Sierra, with pyroclastic flows and lava flows around the cone and mud and debris flows (Lahars) that fell by the rivers.
A little bit of video when there was just some small activity last November. No spectacular eruption in this video..