Lahars of Cotopaxi Volcano, Ecuador: hazard and risk evaluation

Resumen

Cotopaxi Volcano in north central Ecuador is a steep-sided stratocone covered by abundant snow and ice, which has produced about 30 eruptions since the early 1500s. Lahars generated by eruptions have swept through the surrounding populated valleys on numerous occasions, but the volcano has largely been quiescent since 1877. Despite this, the volcano is under continual monitoring at the present time, and both scientific and civil defense activities are aimed at preparing the population for eventual eruptions by employing hazard and risk maps of the volcano, eruption scenarios, simulated evacuations and educational seminars.