Reventador is located in Eastern Cordillera of the Andes in Ecuador
(0.07S, 77.67W). This stratovolcano has erupted 24 times since 1541.
The most recent eruption, in January of 1976, produced bombs, ash, and
lava. Similar eruptions occurred in 1972 and 1973. Visual observations
of this volcano are rare because it is east of the crest of the Andes an
perennially obscured by clouds.
Satellite Imagery.
Seismic activity doubled this week at Reventador: 4.1 long-period earthquakes
and 17 volcano-tectonic earthquakes occurred. Satellite images revealed the
emission of a plume drifting NNE on February 21.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
An eruption on Nov. 3 left unconsolidated deposits on the volcano's flanks. On the 7th and 9th strong rain fell in the area and signals of tremor and lahar activity were detected. Also, multiple volcanic earthquakes occurred each day.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 21, 2003
From Oct. 13-19, numerous volcano-tectonic and long-period earthquakes were recorded. On the 13th, 14th and 19th, lahars were reported. The largest one lasted ~75 minutes.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
Rainfall between July 7 and 13 remobilized ash on the volcano's flanks, causing
lahars down Montana River, and interruption of traffic circulation locally.
Permanent tremor associated with degassing was recorded.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
Following heavy rainfall (200 mm in less than 24 hours), ash deposits were
remobilized and lahars generated down the SE flank of the volcano along Marker
and Reventador gorges. The lahars destroyed a bridge as well as a pipeline for
a petroleum company which led 5,600 barrels of oil to escape.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
Lahars continued to travel down the volcano's flanks and flooding occurred
on the 4th. Seismicity and gas emissions were at low levels and no indication
of increased volcanism was recorded.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
From the 22-28, seismicity remained at low levels with only small amounts of steam being emitted. Heavy rain also produced numerous lahars.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
February 25, 2003
From the 15-21st, seismic activity was low at Reventador. However, heavy rain
in the area produced mudflows that traveled down the volcano's flanks.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 14, 2003
volcanism was relatively low at Reventador; lava slowly flowing and steam plumes
were observed, and on the 10th, several lahars were produced.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 3, 2002
From Nov. 26 - Dec. 1, gas, steam, and occasional small amounts of ash were emitted. On Nov. 27, a flight over the volcano allowed observation of a pyroclastic flow on the NE flank and a lava flow on the E flank. Mudflows were also observed on the 2nd.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity ReportNovember 26, 2002
From Nov. 20-25, seismicity at Reventador greatly decreased. Lahars traveled
down the volcano's flanks and large amounts of SO2 emissions were observed.
On the 24th and 25th, eruptions sent ash and gas clouds ~1 km above the volcano.
November 19, 2002
Constant seismic activity was recorded from Nov. 12-16. On the 12th, a plume
of steam and ash was erupted and by the 18th, lava was flowing on the crater's
S wall and pyroclastic-flow deposits were observed.
November 12, 2002
Activity decreased at Reventador but small to moderate eruptions
continued through Nov. 12. On Nov. 7, an eruption produced a 7 km high ash cloud
that drifted to the W and, due to rain on the 9th, mudflows traveled down the
volcano's flanks, closing a major highway. The Quito airport was reopened on
the 10th, but the next schools were closed and residents were warned to protect
themselves from ash falling from previous eruptions.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
November 5, 2002
On Nov. 3, a large eruption began which produced pyroclastic flows down the
volcano's flanks. Ash clouds from the explosion reached heights of ~16.8 km
a.s.l. Throughout the next couple of days, continuous tremor (that may have
been linked to ash emissions and small explosions) was recorded. Even though
periods of intense and increased tremor were recorded in pulses throughout this
time, activity greatly decreased by the 5th. The explosions did, however, produce
more ash clouds and satellite imagery showed that one of them (at ~16.8 a.s.l)
was moving E while a thicker one traveled W at a height of ~10.7 km. Also, a
nearly stationary region of ash was observed as high as ~9.1 km a.s.l over the
Pacific Ocean near Ecuador.
Lastly, pyroclastic flows from the Nov. 3 eruption reached highways in the area and ash fell in surrounding towns up to 70 km away from Reventador. Approximately 3,000 people were evacuated.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
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