On 15 September, in a special report, IG summarized recent activity at Reventador noting lava flows during 24 June-1 July and 23-24 August, periods of frequent small explosions in August, and periods of explosions that were less frequent but moderate-to-large in size during July and September. Data indicated no changes in the internal and external activity of the volcano, suggesting that the eruption will continue with alternation of effusive and explosive activity in the next days to weeks.

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.

Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)