Ecuador: Volcano: 1999/10
GLIDE: VO-1999-000584-ECU
| Period | 1999/10 |
|---|---|
| Country or District | Ecuador |
| Event Type | Volcano |
| Outline | Guagua Pichincha volcano, 13 km west of Quito, capital of Ecuador begun a period of abnormal volcanic activity a year ago. Since the end of September, the volcano increased sharply its level of activity. Based on this premonitory signs and following the advice of the Geophysical Institute, the mayor of Quito established the orange alert on 28 September 1999. Since the beginning of August 1999, Tungurahua volcano, 150 km SE of Quito, has also been experiencing very high and abnormal activity. |
| Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Human Impact | Physical Impact | Others |
| OCHA Situation Report No.2 1999/10/11 | ||
| Guagua Pichincha volcano： On 5 October, a big explosion led to ash fall over the city of Quito and other towns in a radius of about 150 km. Between 2-3 mm of ash accumulated were recorded in Quito. Another relatively strong explosion occurred on 7 October resulting in amount of ash fall over the city of Quito. Tungurahua volcano: Three relatively large phreatic explosions occurred on 5 October. Emission of sulphur dioxide increased to values between 9,000 to 10,000 MT per day and dropped to approximately 6,000 MT per day on 7 October. |
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| CNN 1999/10/05 1:46GMT | ||
| A man and three women were hurt when they fell from the roofs of their homes trying to clean. An elderly man with respiratory problems died. | Authorities warned the city's inhabitants not to wash off the ash that had accumulated on sidewalks because the mix of water and ash produces a cement-like substance that could clog the city's drains | Quito's airport shut down at night of Oct.5 and remained closed on Oct.6. All flights, both domestic and foreign, were canceled. The government closed all schools on Oct. 5 and the schools remain closed until the ash threat passes. |
Related Links
Report/Articles
OCHA Situation Report No. 4 1999/10/21
In total, 22,000 persons from some 60 locations have been evacuated from the area at risk. According to official sources, between 1,200 and 1,500 persons are accommodated in temporary shelters in the provinces of Tungurahua, Chimborazo and Pastaza.
AFP 1999/10/21
The Tungurahua volcano spewed a giant, eight-kilometer (six-mile) high column of ash and vapor Thursday, alarming the residents of this mountain town and the surrounding area.
AFP 1999/10/20
The resort community of Banos in central Ecuador was a ghost town after tens of thousands residents and tourists fled the area to escape the possible eruption of a nearby volcano.
OCHA Situation Report No. 3 1999/10/18
OCHA Situation Report No.2 1999/10/11
CNN 1999/10/07 1:32GMT
The Red Cross has urged the most vulnerable people, such as those with respiratory conditions, to leave town
CNN 1999/10/05 10:08GMT
The cloud, up to seven miles (11 kilometers) high and 27 miles (44 kilometers) in diameter, darkened the afternoon sky
CNN 1999/10/05 1:46GMT
Authorities said the 15,840-foot Pichincha has dumped 5,000 tons of ash on this city of 1.4 million people in the last 24 hours.
OCHA Situation Report No. 1 1999/10/05
AFP 1999/10/05
Quito Mayor Roque Sevilla eased back a volcano eruption alert for the city, saying a dome building inside the crater of the nearby Guagua Pichincha volcano was containing the pressure buildup.