Cotopaxi

One of the things that makes our country and our city so unique is the beauty that surrounds it. Quito lies nestled in the Andes Mountains and is surrounded by a half dozen or so active volcanoes. Most of these active volcanoes are technically active but not usually doing stuff. The geological makeup of the area means that in any direction you look, you see cityscape. Everywhere you look the city slopes either up or down towards the side of a mountain. In the distance in every direction the horizon is broken by  massive rock mountainsides or rolling steep hills. It’s incredibly unique. However, the thing that makes living here so awe inspiring is the same thing that makes this place a potentially dangerous place to live.

Ring of Fire

Ecuador lies on the eastern portion of the “Ring of Fire.” Surrounding the Pacific Ocean, there are countless trenches and tectonic plates shifting and moving and making the Pacific Rim a seismically charged region. Most of the world’s tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanoes lie on the edges of this ring. When one thing happens, there usually tends to be a chain reaction. An earthquake leads to tsunamis which lead to volcanic eruptions in some cases. Now as I say that, I must also make the disclaimer that most of these seismic moments of activity are relatively calm and benign. However, danger exists and caution should be practiced.

One of the largest active volcanoes in the world, Cotopaxi is relatively close to Quito. You may recall when I posted earlier this year about camping at its feet with 31 middle school kids. Well, the majestic beauty known as the neck of the moon is getting restless.

This week, we all received this email from the US Embassy:

U.S. Embassy Quito, Ecuador

Security Message for U.S. Citizens

Increased Activity on the Cotopaxi Volcano

The U.S. Mission in Ecuador advises U.S. citizens living or traveling in Ecuador that the Cotopaxi volcano, an active volcano near Quito, located within the Cotopaxi National Park in the Cotopaxi Province, has recently experienced a rise unusual activity.  According to the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute, since mid-April 2015, Cotopaxi has experienced an unusually high level of seismic activity, more frequent movement of magma inside the volcano, and an increase in sulfur dioxide emissions, resulting in periodic sulfur smells and visible vapor emissions (fumarole activity).  While the Ecuadorian government has not announced any alerts for the Cotopaxi volcano at this time, U.S. citizens are advised to take precautions and monitor the news for updates. 

U.S. citizens are also reminded that the Tungurahua volcano, near the tourist community of Baños in Tungurahua Province, and the Wolf volcano, located on an uninhabited area of Isabela Island in the Galapagos Islands chain, are currently undergoing eruption cycles, along with other volcanoes in Ecuador.  For more information on current activity, visit the Spanish-language website of the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute, which monitors volcanoes and earthquakes.

My Old Friend

 So…there’s that. After talking to a few locals and science people I was assured of a few things.

First, I heard if Cotopaxi blew, it would be so large that even though it is very far away, we’d be relatively guaranteed of imminent death due to the amount of ash. A much smaller volcano erupted nearly in 2000 and the city was coated with 2-3 inches of ash for weeks. If the mammoth Cotopaxi blew it would be catastrophic to the people living nearby due to lava flow and environmentally catastrophic to anyone who likes the sun, plants, or breathing.

Second, I heard it was nothing to worry about. If Cotopaxi blew it would likely be a small eruption that would spew some sulfur and a little bit of ash and likely be it.

Third I heard that even though seismic activity has been increasing, the chances of living near a volcano that produces life-ending results is about 1/3,000,000,000.

Hold tight big girl, don't lose your cool

Who knows what to believe? We leave to go back to the states in a few weeks so I can only hope if something happens here it is mild enough not to destroy the city that I call my home or the residents who I call my neighbors. We were told that if it happens and it's bad that it would be best to drive north to Colombia. The roads in and out of Quito are pretty small and there aren't many ways in and out so if anything happened we'd need to be ready. We're hoping all is good, and in all likelihood it will be, but in true Boy Scout fashion we are prepared anyway. We have a backpack with blankets, batteries, flash lights, water, canned food, cash, matches, dog food, an extra leash, and some medicine waiting in our apartment just in case something happens. Not likely that we'll need it but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Cotopaxi is nothing to be trifled with and while I will be monitoring the progress of the upset belly of this beast I will be hoping and praying that it is closer to indigestion than an overdue explosion.