Activity of the Sangay volcano is discrete and its incidence is minimal in the ash production

The activity of the Sangay volcano is at a moderate level. This was explained by Patricia Motes, a volcanologist at the Geophysical Institute of the National Polytechnic School (EPN).

Activity of the Sangay volcano is discrete and its incidence is minimal in the ash production

The team of volcanologists carries out permanent monitoring of the elevation, located 45 kilometers southeast of Riobamba .

The monitoring is more rigorous, after yesterday, Sunday, September 20, a strong ash fall was recorded that reached a height of 10 kilometers and that extended to the cantons of Guamote, Alausí and Pallatanga.

Also in the Cebada and Palmira parishes, near the crater. During yesterday’s session, the National Risk Management Service warned that the ash fall could be intense in Chimborazo and Bolívar; moderate in Los Ríos and Guayas.

Motes indicated that, in the last 24 hours, it was observed that the activity is on “a downward trend”, although he acknowledged that “from time to time there are some discrete events, but it has had a minimal impact on the production of ash ”.

The expert added that throughout the day, a team of technicians will analyze the emission of gases, but acknowledged that such work will be complicated, since the density of the ash emitted yesterday could make this difficult.

Motes indicated that, at the moment, the satellite images are not giving information on whether there is presence of ash, but pointed out that there is possibly water vapor and gases.

He added that there is very little exit of hot materials from the eastern and western part of the volcano. “At the moment the volcano is in a state of truce,” said the expert.

However, he did not rule out that explosions could occur in the next few hours, although smaller. “Ash emissions are likely, but milder,” he reiterated.

The volcanologist explained that for an emission like the one recorded yesterday to occur, it will be in the event that there is an increase in the level of magma and gases.

He explained that this Sunday there was a major explosion that has already released the material that was trapped inside the volcano. (I)