Orange alert for increased activity of Tungurahua

Tungurahua Volcano

Patricia Mothes, tecnician of the Geophysical Institute at the Observatory of Guadalupe, explained to José Luis Freire, Mayor of Baños, that on Saturday there was an abrupt increase of the activity of the Tungurahua volcano.

“It was clogged throughout the day. Until 17:49 that day only white smoke came out, but suddenly, at 17:55, the duct opened and bum,”Mothes said.

That same day, the National Secretariat of risk management (SNGR) declared an orange alert in areas of high risk close to the volcano, he also reported that yesterday, the activity decreased significantly although earthquakes were registered and also slight emissions at the summit.

Patricia Mothes, also indicated that there is a chance of recurrence of this phenomenon, because there was a period of calm of approximately ten hours, and probably at that time the internal pressure was accumulated.

The Committee of emerging operations (COE) in Baños restricted the passage through the Los Pájaros-Penipe-Riobamba road. In addition, the presence of tourists also was restricted in places like Los Pajaros, La Pampa and nearby areas.