The recent eruption of Ecuador’s Sangay volcano has brought the volcanic activities of this region into the limelight. With its impressive height of 5230m, Sangay is one of the highest active volcanoes globally and one of Ecuador’s most active ones.
About Sangay Volcano
Located in the northern volcanic zone of the Andes, Sangay is the southernmost stratovolcano, a volcano built up of alternate layers of lava and ash. The Andes, famous for hosting some of the world’s highest peaks, holds the title of the longest above water mountain range.
Sangay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nestles in the central part of Ecuador on the eastern side of the Andes mountains.
Historic Eruptions
Records show that the Sangay volcano had its first known eruption in 1628. It went through more or less continuous eruptions from 1728 until 1916, and then again from 1934 to the present day. Its frequent eruptions have been mostly of the strombolian type.
Sangay Among Other Major Volcanoes of Ecuador
Ecuador is part of the Pacific Rim’s “Ring of Fire” region, known for its intense seismic and volcanic activity. Besides the mighty Sangay, Ecuador hosts seven other significant volcanoes like Cotopaxi (5,897m), Cayambe (5,790m), and Pichincha (4,784m).
Insights Into Volcanic Eruptions
A volcanic eruption occurs when molten lava and gas discharge from a volcanic vent. This usually results in population movements due to the threat of the advancing lava flow.
Volcanic activities are typically grouped into six types. They include:
– Icelandic: Characterized by effusions of molten basaltic lava that flow from long, parallel fissures. These often form lava plateaus.
– Hawaiian: Similar to Icelandic, but fluid lava flows from the volcano’s summit and radial fissures, forming large shield volcanoes with gentle slopes.
– Strombolian: Involves moderate bursts of expanding gases that eject clots of incandescent lava in small, frequent eruptions.
– Vulcanian: Named after Vulcano Island near Stromboli and includes moderate explosions of gas laden with volcanic ash, forming dark, turbulent eruption clouds.
– Pelean: Characterized by explosive outbursts producing pyroclastic flows – dense mixtures of hot volcanic fragments and gas. These eruptions produce fluidized slurries that pour down valleys and slopes at high speeds, resulting in immense destruction.
– Plinian: The most violent type of volcanic eruption, where gases boiling out of gas-rich magma generate enormous and nearly continuous jetting blasts that core out the magma conduit and rip it apart.
The recent eruption of Sangay provides a stark reminder of the awe-inducing power of Mother Nature and serves as a point of interest for geologists and researchers worldwide.
