Bob
25th May 2014, 21:50
I've been watching the last couple month's activity cycles in the two active, but relatively dormant Ecuadorian volcanoes, which sit on the Ring of Fire (that spans the west coast of North America, and over thru the Aleutians and down through Japan, and into Indonesia).
I have been seeing patterns which are indicative of magmatic activity, pre-eruptive events.
After the Chilean quake of 1 April 2014, the eruptive patterns and seismic activity of the two most active volcanoes, which have erupted this year, Tungurahua and Reventador, changed dramatically. The Geological Institute in Ecuador which monitors the volcanoes, had predicted a substantial eruptive event to occur in Tunguahua within the previous two weeks, has not occurred, and Revantador has been exhibiting periods of diminishing activity, with intermittent peaks (flurries) of activity as opposed to regular continuous releases.
Two other volcanoes, CotoPaxi, and G. Pichincha however have now started to exhibit activity, in some cases substantial indications of dome building (and land tilting), or large abrupt seismic quakes, and sustained periods of harmonic tremor (possibly indicative of a potential volcanic eruptive event).
http://www.volcano.si.edu/volcanoes/region15/ecuador/reventad/3308rev1.jpg
May 16th, 19th, 23rd (a 3 day peaking cycle) for G. Pichincha showing substantial activity - http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?69092-Guagua-Pichincha-Ecuador-Volcano-seismic-activity-status&p=836237&viewfull=1#post836237
May 15th-16th, 21st-23rd (accentuated 3 day peaking cycle) for CotoPaxi showing substantial activity (one can take it back to the 10th May to see long duration sustained seismic activity) -
http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?69130-CotoPaxi-Volcano-Ecuador-seismic-status&p=835181&viewfull=1#post835181
Backgrounds on GuaGua Pichincha and CotoPaxi (there are detailed threads monitoring this volcano in News and Updates).
G. Pichincha
Location: Ecuador
0.171 S, 78.598 W
summit elevation 4784 m
Type: Stratovolcano
Guagua Pichincha Volcano is located 8 km from the centre of Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
The volcano is 23 km in diameter. Historical activity of the volcano has included large explosive eruptions which has produced Plinian columns, dome growth, and pyroclastic flows.
Pichincha Volcanic Complex consists of an extinct older volcano (Rucu Pichincha), and a younger active volcano (Guagua Pichincha). Since 1981, Guagua Pichincha volcano has begun a new phase of low seismic, phreatic and magmatic activity after being dormant for 100 years.
2008 Eruptions
Seven phreatic eruptions occurred at Guagua Pichincha Volcano on 1st February 2008. The eruptions were preceded by a magnitude 4.1 earthquake on 6th December 2007.
Possible eruption in 2003
On 17th April 2003, seismic signals indicating a possible minor eruption at Guagua Pichincha, but there were no visual signs of an eruption.
2002 Eruptions
On 11th October 2002 four phreatic eruptions occurred after several days of heavy rainfall. The eruption ejected blocks 100-200 m from the vent. Long-period and volcano-tectonic earthquakes and continuous background tremor were recorded until 17th October.
2001 Eruption
Ash emissions on 18th, 31st March, and 25th May. The May eruption sent ash to a height of 8.5 km. On 26th November 2001, seismic recording indicated that a 20 minute-long phreatic explosion began around midday. This was followed by 16 hours of continuous tremor.
2000 Eruption and Fatalities
A phreatic explosion at 1146 on 12th March, 2000 in the crater of Guagua Pichincha's central dome killed two volcanologists. A warning of possible activity had been transmitted to them by radio at 1030, but for unknown reasons they were still on the dome when the eruption occurred.
1998 Eruptions
In August 1998 phreatic eruptions occurred daily to weekly approximately one year.
1981 Eruptions
Eruptions began in 1981 with phreatic activity that produced ash explosions and an increase in fumarole gas emission. This was the first eruptions in 100 years at the volcano.
1660 Eruption
An eruption began at Guagua Pichincha volcano on 28th October 1660 and laster for 12 hours. A plinian column deposited ash and pumice over Quito, and plunged the city into darkness. Pyroclastic flows and surges overrode the southern and eastern rims of the crater. The topographic relief of Rucu Pichincha prevented flows from reaching Quito. Ash fell as far north as Popayan, Columbia (300 km ), south at Loja (430 km ), and west at the Pacific coast ( 170 km). Earthquakes associated with the eruption caused panic in Quito. No casualties were reported, but the eruption caused significant economic loss to the surrounding region.
(ref: http://www.volcanolive.com/pichincha.html).
CotoPaxi Volcano Ecuador -
Location: Ecuador
00.677 S, 78.436 W
summit elevation 5 911 m
Type: Stratovolcano
Cotopaxi Volcano is located on the Eastern Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes, 60 km south of Quito and 35 km northeast of Latacunga. Cotopaxi is one of Ecuador's most well known and active volcanoes. It is one of the world's highest active volcanoes. The cone is almost symmetrical, and covered in snow.
A high altitude hummingbird (Oreotrochilus chimborazo) has been found between 13,000 and 15,000 ft on Cotopaxi volcano, where it nests on cliffs.
There have been more than 50 eruptions since 1738.
The most violent historical eruptions of Cotopaxi volcano took place in 1744, 1768, and 1877.
1907 Eruption
Eruptions at Cotopaxi volcano produced columns of smoke, emission of lava , and pyroclastic flows.
1906 Eruptions
Small emission of ash, rocks and bombs.
1886 Eruptions
Abundant small eruptions of ash.
1880 Eruption
An eruption began on 3rd July 1880, with ash emissions reaching 20,000 ft above the crater in less than a minute. Observers climbing Chimborazo made the following report - "We saw a green sun, and several hours passed before the ash commenced to intervene between the sun and ourselves; and, when it did so, we witnessed effects which simply amazed us."
1877 Eruption
Four main eruptions occurred at Cotopaxi in 1877 producing high eruptive columns, and fallout of lapilli and bombs.
1853 Eruption
A 3 day eruption occurred which produced three ashfall and small lahars.
1768 Eruption
In April 1768 an explosive eruption occurred, ejecting bombs as far as La Cienega, near Tanicuchi, more than 20 km SW of the crater.
1766 Eruption
Lahars and floods affected the town of Latacunga and fallout of coarse pumice west of the volcano caused the destruction of several farms.
1744 Eruption
A major explosive eruption occurred at Cotopaxi with extensive ash fall 7 to 10 cm thick, 10 km west of the crater.
1742 Eruption
Two main explosive eruptions occurred that year with ashfall and destructive lahars.
1534 Eruption
Hot ash was erupted from the volcano and a lahar destroyed La Contiega village.
The Chillos Valley Lahar 4500 years ago
This was the largest debris flow in the past 10,000 years. It formed on Cotopaxi volcano’s north and northeast slopes and descended river systems 326 km NNW to the Pacific Ocean and 130 km east into the Amazon basin. The debris flow occurred 4500 years ago.
It was uncertain if there was eruption in these years:
1942, 1940, 1939, 1931, 1928-30
What is happening appears to be after the large Chilean 8.2m seismic event of 1 April 2014, the whole ring of fire started to have a type of traveling wave "pulse" along the arc. With peaks in solar activity, and potential sliding and melting of deep underground faulting (can describe them plates in some locations), changes in magma movement has been occurring. This could account for the normally somewhat recently dormant sleepers starting to awaken, and the normally active emitters starting to change their eruptive patterns.
ref: http://prezi.com/lqjr9olevldp/the-pichincha-volcano/ - here the author expect a potential eruption in G. Pichincha sometime between 2013 and 2015.
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/misc/991007_VOLC_VIS_4.gif
NOAA GOES-8 visible imagery (above) showed the ash plume following the eruption of the Guagua Pichincha Volcano in Ecuador during the morning of 07 October 1999.
Due to directional wind shear with height, the plume was being advected in two directions: the highest portion (near 50,000 feet in altitude) was drifting eastward away from the capitol city of Quito (station identifier SEQU), while a lower portion (near 40,000 feet in altitude) was drifting to the west of Quito.
The airport at Quito was closed following this and other eruptions a few days earlier, since volcanic ash is a hazard to aviation concerns.
ref: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/misc/991007_volcano.html
We're keeping an eye on the seismic monitoring instruments to see what's up.
I have been seeing patterns which are indicative of magmatic activity, pre-eruptive events.
After the Chilean quake of 1 April 2014, the eruptive patterns and seismic activity of the two most active volcanoes, which have erupted this year, Tungurahua and Reventador, changed dramatically. The Geological Institute in Ecuador which monitors the volcanoes, had predicted a substantial eruptive event to occur in Tunguahua within the previous two weeks, has not occurred, and Revantador has been exhibiting periods of diminishing activity, with intermittent peaks (flurries) of activity as opposed to regular continuous releases.
Two other volcanoes, CotoPaxi, and G. Pichincha however have now started to exhibit activity, in some cases substantial indications of dome building (and land tilting), or large abrupt seismic quakes, and sustained periods of harmonic tremor (possibly indicative of a potential volcanic eruptive event).
http://www.volcano.si.edu/volcanoes/region15/ecuador/reventad/3308rev1.jpg
May 16th, 19th, 23rd (a 3 day peaking cycle) for G. Pichincha showing substantial activity - http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?69092-Guagua-Pichincha-Ecuador-Volcano-seismic-activity-status&p=836237&viewfull=1#post836237
May 15th-16th, 21st-23rd (accentuated 3 day peaking cycle) for CotoPaxi showing substantial activity (one can take it back to the 10th May to see long duration sustained seismic activity) -
http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?69130-CotoPaxi-Volcano-Ecuador-seismic-status&p=835181&viewfull=1#post835181
Backgrounds on GuaGua Pichincha and CotoPaxi (there are detailed threads monitoring this volcano in News and Updates).
G. Pichincha
Location: Ecuador
0.171 S, 78.598 W
summit elevation 4784 m
Type: Stratovolcano
Guagua Pichincha Volcano is located 8 km from the centre of Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
The volcano is 23 km in diameter. Historical activity of the volcano has included large explosive eruptions which has produced Plinian columns, dome growth, and pyroclastic flows.
Pichincha Volcanic Complex consists of an extinct older volcano (Rucu Pichincha), and a younger active volcano (Guagua Pichincha). Since 1981, Guagua Pichincha volcano has begun a new phase of low seismic, phreatic and magmatic activity after being dormant for 100 years.
2008 Eruptions
Seven phreatic eruptions occurred at Guagua Pichincha Volcano on 1st February 2008. The eruptions were preceded by a magnitude 4.1 earthquake on 6th December 2007.
Possible eruption in 2003
On 17th April 2003, seismic signals indicating a possible minor eruption at Guagua Pichincha, but there were no visual signs of an eruption.
2002 Eruptions
On 11th October 2002 four phreatic eruptions occurred after several days of heavy rainfall. The eruption ejected blocks 100-200 m from the vent. Long-period and volcano-tectonic earthquakes and continuous background tremor were recorded until 17th October.
2001 Eruption
Ash emissions on 18th, 31st March, and 25th May. The May eruption sent ash to a height of 8.5 km. On 26th November 2001, seismic recording indicated that a 20 minute-long phreatic explosion began around midday. This was followed by 16 hours of continuous tremor.
2000 Eruption and Fatalities
A phreatic explosion at 1146 on 12th March, 2000 in the crater of Guagua Pichincha's central dome killed two volcanologists. A warning of possible activity had been transmitted to them by radio at 1030, but for unknown reasons they were still on the dome when the eruption occurred.
1998 Eruptions
In August 1998 phreatic eruptions occurred daily to weekly approximately one year.
1981 Eruptions
Eruptions began in 1981 with phreatic activity that produced ash explosions and an increase in fumarole gas emission. This was the first eruptions in 100 years at the volcano.
1660 Eruption
An eruption began at Guagua Pichincha volcano on 28th October 1660 and laster for 12 hours. A plinian column deposited ash and pumice over Quito, and plunged the city into darkness. Pyroclastic flows and surges overrode the southern and eastern rims of the crater. The topographic relief of Rucu Pichincha prevented flows from reaching Quito. Ash fell as far north as Popayan, Columbia (300 km ), south at Loja (430 km ), and west at the Pacific coast ( 170 km). Earthquakes associated with the eruption caused panic in Quito. No casualties were reported, but the eruption caused significant economic loss to the surrounding region.
(ref: http://www.volcanolive.com/pichincha.html).
CotoPaxi Volcano Ecuador -
Location: Ecuador
00.677 S, 78.436 W
summit elevation 5 911 m
Type: Stratovolcano
Cotopaxi Volcano is located on the Eastern Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes, 60 km south of Quito and 35 km northeast of Latacunga. Cotopaxi is one of Ecuador's most well known and active volcanoes. It is one of the world's highest active volcanoes. The cone is almost symmetrical, and covered in snow.
A high altitude hummingbird (Oreotrochilus chimborazo) has been found between 13,000 and 15,000 ft on Cotopaxi volcano, where it nests on cliffs.
There have been more than 50 eruptions since 1738.
The most violent historical eruptions of Cotopaxi volcano took place in 1744, 1768, and 1877.
1907 Eruption
Eruptions at Cotopaxi volcano produced columns of smoke, emission of lava , and pyroclastic flows.
1906 Eruptions
Small emission of ash, rocks and bombs.
1886 Eruptions
Abundant small eruptions of ash.
1880 Eruption
An eruption began on 3rd July 1880, with ash emissions reaching 20,000 ft above the crater in less than a minute. Observers climbing Chimborazo made the following report - "We saw a green sun, and several hours passed before the ash commenced to intervene between the sun and ourselves; and, when it did so, we witnessed effects which simply amazed us."
1877 Eruption
Four main eruptions occurred at Cotopaxi in 1877 producing high eruptive columns, and fallout of lapilli and bombs.
1853 Eruption
A 3 day eruption occurred which produced three ashfall and small lahars.
1768 Eruption
In April 1768 an explosive eruption occurred, ejecting bombs as far as La Cienega, near Tanicuchi, more than 20 km SW of the crater.
1766 Eruption
Lahars and floods affected the town of Latacunga and fallout of coarse pumice west of the volcano caused the destruction of several farms.
1744 Eruption
A major explosive eruption occurred at Cotopaxi with extensive ash fall 7 to 10 cm thick, 10 km west of the crater.
1742 Eruption
Two main explosive eruptions occurred that year with ashfall and destructive lahars.
1534 Eruption
Hot ash was erupted from the volcano and a lahar destroyed La Contiega village.
The Chillos Valley Lahar 4500 years ago
This was the largest debris flow in the past 10,000 years. It formed on Cotopaxi volcano’s north and northeast slopes and descended river systems 326 km NNW to the Pacific Ocean and 130 km east into the Amazon basin. The debris flow occurred 4500 years ago.
It was uncertain if there was eruption in these years:
1942, 1940, 1939, 1931, 1928-30
What is happening appears to be after the large Chilean 8.2m seismic event of 1 April 2014, the whole ring of fire started to have a type of traveling wave "pulse" along the arc. With peaks in solar activity, and potential sliding and melting of deep underground faulting (can describe them plates in some locations), changes in magma movement has been occurring. This could account for the normally somewhat recently dormant sleepers starting to awaken, and the normally active emitters starting to change their eruptive patterns.
ref: http://prezi.com/lqjr9olevldp/the-pichincha-volcano/ - here the author expect a potential eruption in G. Pichincha sometime between 2013 and 2015.
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/misc/991007_VOLC_VIS_4.gif
NOAA GOES-8 visible imagery (above) showed the ash plume following the eruption of the Guagua Pichincha Volcano in Ecuador during the morning of 07 October 1999.
Due to directional wind shear with height, the plume was being advected in two directions: the highest portion (near 50,000 feet in altitude) was drifting eastward away from the capitol city of Quito (station identifier SEQU), while a lower portion (near 40,000 feet in altitude) was drifting to the west of Quito.
The airport at Quito was closed following this and other eruptions a few days earlier, since volcanic ash is a hazard to aviation concerns.
ref: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/misc/991007_volcano.html
We're keeping an eye on the seismic monitoring instruments to see what's up.