Volcanic ActivityEcuador Case Study

Reventador

November 2002

Pichincha

September / October 1999

Calderas – Crater Lakes

Laguna Quilotoa

Laguna Cuicocha

Las Mojandas

CotopaxiThe Big One

In the Shadow

• In 1877 mudflows travelled 100km from the volcano burying nearby towns and villages including parts of Sangolqui

• Now over ¼ million people live in the Sangolqui and Los Chillos valleys

• These people live on top of old lahars (mudflows) that came from Cotopaxi

A major eruption would be disastrous

Tungurahua - Banos

Since 1999

Ecuador Volcanic Activity Case Study

• Where is Ecuador and why are active volcanoes found there?

• What evidence is there of recent volcanic activity within Ecuador.

• What hazards are associated with this volcanic activity?

• Why do people continue to live in the Valley of the Volcanoes in the Ecuadorian highlands?