The State Geophysical Institute of Ecuador reported on Sunday that the La Cumbre volcano, located on the uninhabited island of Fernandina in the Galapagos archipelago, has erupted, causing concern among tourists visiting the area.
(Read more: They report a high recurrence of seismic events at the Puracé volcano, in Popayán).
According to reports, the volcanic activity manifested itself with “a thermal anomaly and gas emission”, thus signaling the beginning of an eruptive process at La Cumbre, which rises to 1,463 meters above sea level.
Despite the eruption, the population is reassured, since the gas cloudalthough without much ash, was displaced by the wind without reaching the populations of other nearby islands, such as Isabela.
The Geophysical Institute has confirmed the presence of a circumferential fissure on the southern flank of the volcano, thanks to videos shared on social networks showing the eruption in progress.
(Continue reading: Mars could have been, in its origins, a volcanic and tectonically active planet).
This event marks the fourth eruption of the La Cumbre volcano in almost eight years, with the last one in January 2020. Experts warn that the duration of the current eruption cannot be accurately predicted, but there are indications that it could be more intense than the previous ones.
For tourists visiting the region, urgent safety advice was issued: stay away in case lava flows enter the sea, as this could trigger small explosions and the release of toxic gases, putting the health of people at risk. those who are nearby.
Fernandina Island, although uninhabited, is home to unique biodiversity, including endemic species such as the yellow land iguana and the tortoise Chelonoidis phantasticusthe latter discovered in 2019, previously considered extinct.
(You may be interested in: On video: forest fire emergency at the top of a volcano in Guatemala).
Galapagos, recognized worldwide for its contribution to the theory of the evolution of species thanks to the work of Charles Darwin, is a place of great scientific and tourist interest, housing a biosphere reserve with a delicate ecosystem and unique flora and fauna in the world.
The La Cumbre volcano erupts on Fernandina Island, in the Galapagos Islands archipelago.
“On Saturday night, a thermal anomaly and a gas emission were recorded, indicating the beginning of an eruptive process.” pic.twitter.com/GLRZkGu206
— Centinela35 (@Centinela_35) March 3, 2024
Ecuadorian authorities continue to closely monitor the situation in Fernandina, while urging tourists and the local population to stay informed and follow recommended precautions during this volcanic activity.
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*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information published by O GLOBO (GDA), and was reviewed by a journalist and an editor.
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