Ecuador

I first visited Ecuador in November 2014 as part of a VUELCO project short course and unrest/eruption simulation. Here we were focussed on Cotopaxi (5897 m), the stereotypical strato-volcano with its almost perfectly conical shape and summit glacier. This volcano was also the subject of one of my PhD thesis chapters so the opportunity to see it up close and personal was a great experience for me. I also visited Ecuador in March 2016 as part of the STREVA project. This time we were examining lahar deposits and attending community workshops around Cotopaxi to present information regarding the research that has been conducted there, especially given its awakening in August 2015. We also worked around Tungurahua (5023 m) where we were collecting ash from recent eruptions and attending workshops with local farmers about how they have adapted to volcanic activity.

This volcano demands a pose (2014).

Cotopaxi through the evening clouds (2014).

Cotopaxi through the evening clouds (2014).

Examining a pyroclastic flow deposit (2014).

Examining a pyroclastic flow deposit (2014).

Cotopaxi through the evening clouds (2014).

Cotopaxi through the evening clouds (2014).

This volcano demands a pose (2014).

Cotopaxi volcano (2014).

The ‘eye’ of Cotopaxi (2014).

Cotopaxi volcano (2014).

Sunset across Cotopaxi National Park (2014).

Sunset across Cotopaxi National Park (2014).

Sunset across Cotopaxi National Park (2014).

Cotopaxi volcano in the morning sun (2014).

Examining a pyroclastic flow deposit (2014).

Looking at some tephra layers (2014).

Huge rock, dumped in place by the volcano (2014).

Cotopaxi volcano (2014).

Cotopaxi volcano (2014).

Cotopaxi volcano. 5897m ASL (2014).

Some VUELCO PR (2014).

Presenting STREVA research to the general public (2016).

Presenting STREVA research to the general public (2016).

Hazard warning signs at Cotopaxi (2016).

The STREVA team in front of Cotopaxi (2016).

Looking out across lahar deposit from the 2015 Cotopaxi eruptions (2016).

Lahar deposit from the 2015 Cotopaxi eruptions (2016).

Lahar deposit from the 2015 Cotopaxi eruptions (2016).

Local farmers also help with the ash collection (2016).

Examining ash collected in the ash-meters (2016).

Examining ash collected in the ash-meters (2016).

Collecting ash around Tungurahua (2016).

The beautiful green flanks of Tungurahua (2016).

The beautiful green flanks of Tungurahua (2016).

The beautiful green flanks of Tungurahua (2016).

Workshop about ash impacts with local farmers (2016).

Tungurahua volcano appears from behind the clouds (2016).

Tungurahua volcano appears from behind the clouds (2016).

Farming on the slopes of Tungurahua (2016).

Farming on the slopes of Tungurahua (2016).