Chimborzao

Cayambe

Volcanic Activity

Ecuador is a location with many volcanoes that are active but also inactive. Currently, there are a total of 25 volcanoes within the region itself. Due to subduction under the Nazca Pacific oceanic plate, (located under the continental plate of South America) these volcanoes belong to the Northern Volcanic Zone of the Andres.
The largest volcano is known as Chimborazo, a stratovolcano which is also known to be Ecuador's highest volcano. Recordings show this volcano has erupted at least 7 times within the past 10,000 years. Many have thought this volcano is currently dormant, but recent studies show that this volcano is in fact active.
Recently, Ecuador's Institute of Geographics (IGPEN) reported increased seismic activity at the Cayambe volcano. This is also a massive stratovolcano, located in the Northern part of Ecuador, near Quito. On June 5, 2016 geographers noticed the seismicity of the quake began to increase. According to Volcano Discovery, a seismic swarm of 2 300 earthquakes were recorded by the end of the month.
 Only one volcano known as Cotopaxi has actually erupted in Ecuador in the past 140 years. But this volcano is known to be one of the most dangerous in the world because it is surrounded by a densely populated area. After the Cotopaxi volcano erupted, surgical masks were distributed across a city of 2.3 million. Also officials became more alert in case of future events and are currently monitoring the volcano closely. If prompted to, authority's can have the city evacuated before an eruption.

References:
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/cayambe.html

https://watchers.news/2016/12/07/cayambe-volcano-swarm-ecuador-2016/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/ecuador/11804694/Volcano-erupts-in-Ecuador-for-the-first-time-in-140-years.html

Seismicity of Ecuador

As mentioned in the previous post, Ecuador experiences many earthquakes. Because of the unusual formation of the plate boundary, earthquakes happen when they're unexpected. This region has had a total of 116 earthquakes within the past 365 days, (the largest being a 7.8 magnitude) and 5 within the past month. Compared to the amount over the past year, this last month was like giving a break to the region. But the region recently experienced a moderately sized (5.5 magnitude) earthquake near Bahia De Caraquez, located in Ecuador. The Esmeraldas province is the most affected area by most recent earthquakes, and it is also known to be the most dangerous territory. To prevent serious disaster or catastrophe, risk studies of future earthquakes can be used to create emergency plans of the area. Prevention and contingency measures are supposed to be the most effective to prevent seismic situations because they can't be predicted within a short period of time.

References:

http://earthquaketrack.com/p/ecuador/recent

https://phys.org/news/2016-04-seismic-ecuador.html

Plate Boundaries & Ecuador

Ecuador, located in South America, is effected by earthquakes that result from subduction within the South American and Nazca plate boundaries. Geologists describe the region as having a convergent plate boundary which forms a thrust fault across the Andres region. This set of plate boundaries are quite unpredictable because the Nazca plate is being driven beneath the South American plate, approximately 61 millimeters per year.  On April 16th, 2016, a catastrphophic magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck leaving an estimated 250,00 people without a home and at least 270 people dead. Unfortunately the region has a history of experiencing large quakes due to the uneven convergent boundary. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) listed seven earthquakes that were larger than a magnitude seven. These events took place within 150 miles of this quake beginning in 1900.

References:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ecuador-quake-is-on-a-fault-that-generates-monster-shakers/

http://www.popsci.com/deadly-magnitude-78-earthquake-strikes-ecuador

Introduction

Hello everyone, my name is Jake and this is my second year here at MPC. So far I have really enjoyed the atmosphere of the school, especially the location. I plan on majoring in Criminology within the next few years. I have in fact experienced two natural disasters when I was a child. Growing up in San Diego, my family and I have had to evacuate from two wild fires, one of which was the largest to date in California. For my country I plan on learning more about Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. I chose this location because I have had the opportunity to travel there. It is truly an amazing place. Looking forward to taking this class and hearing from all of you!

Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrpohes

Many of us have first hand experienced or witnessed via the media, hazards, disasters and catastrophes.  Such as, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2011, the Tohuku earthquake in 2011 and of the catastrophe of 911.   Hazards, disasters, and catastrophes are a rare event that no sane person would want to deal with. This is because they are very dangerous and cause huge amounts of damage to a landscape and a population.  Most of us are aware of certain hazards to be aware of because of signs that are posted, warning us to keep our distance. A natural hazard is an area where the possibility of a threat to human life is present.  An awareness that hazardous events result from natural processes that have been around for millions of years before we even existed.  These can become hazards when they threaten life or property.  It is therefore important we are aware and recognize these hazards.  Examples are landslides caused by erosion, or an area with common earthquakes and tsunamis such as Haiti. A disaster is a rare event that takes place but tends to cause significant damage to a small area of land. A disaster is often a major threat to humans and any living organisms within the vicinity. Much larger than a disaster, a catastrophe is also a rare event that causes immense destruction and devastation.  On May 8, 2011, Ecuador evacuated three towns due to the Tungurahua volcano erupting, displacing over 300 people.  In 2016, Ecuador went through a catastrophe;  a 7.8 magnitude earthquake.  676 people were killed and 16,000 were injured. Like Ecuador, we all can be affected by hazards, disasters and catastrophes.

References: www.infoplease.com/country/ecuador.html
                    www.preventionweb.net/countries/ecu/data/
                    Textbook, Natural Hazards by Keller, DeVecchio, 4th edition