IG reported that during 10-13 February new activity from Reventador was detected. Satellite images showed a thermal anomaly on 10 February. Based on pilot observations, the Washington VAAC reported an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 5.2 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW. On 11 February ash-and-steam emissions drifted NW. Seismicity increased on 12 February and a lava flow descended the NE flank during 12-13 February. Crater incandescence was observed during 10-13 February.

Geological Summary. Volcán El Reventador is the most frequently active of a chain of Ecuadorian volcanoes in the Cordillera Real, well east of the principal volcanic axis. The forested, dominantly andesitic stratovolcano has 4-km-wide avalanche scarp open to the E formed by edifice collapse. A young, unvegetated, cone rises from the amphitheater floor to a height comparable to the rim. It has been the source of numerous lava flows as well as explosive eruptions visible from Quito, about 90 km ESE. Frequent lahars in this region of heavy rainfall have left extensive deposits on the scarp slope. The largest recorded eruption took place in 2002, producing a 17-km-high eruption column, pyroclastic flows that traveled up to 8 km, and lava flows from summit and flank vents.

Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)