Guagua Pichincha has been producing fewer seismic events (~100/day) with the continuing growth of dome #9. During the week of 7-13 January the LP events were of greater magnitude and depth, registering on stations 10 km from the crater. Diego Viracucha of the Instituto Geofisica reported via radio on the morning of 14 January that a new crater appeared to be forming in dome #9. Diego informed two assistants that he was going to move several hundred meters W of seismic station "Pino" to take photos. While attempting that work he apparently slipped and fell 200 m into the caldera. He probably died immediately from head wounds and internal injuries. The site of the accident was 2.5 hours from GGP Refuge and it took all day to recover the body; because of the climatic conditions a helicopter could not be used. Recovery of the body was accomplished by six volcanologists from the IG, the Civil Defense, the Guards of the Refuge, the Red Cross, an elite group of police, various mountaineering groups, and family members. A cousin, Galo Viracucha, was injured during the recovery effort and later died as a result.

Geological Summary. Guagua Pichincha and the older Pleistocene Rucu Pichincha stratovolcanoes form a broad volcanic massif that rises immediately W of Ecuador's capital city, Quito. A lava dome grew at the head of a 6-km-wide scarp formed during a late-Pleistocene slope failure ~50,000 years ago. Subsequent late-Pleistocene and Holocene eruptions from the central vent consisted of explosive activity with pyroclastic flows accompanied by periodic growth and destruction of the lava dome. Many minor eruptions have been recorded since the mid-1500's; the largest took place in 1660, when ash fell over a 1,000 km radius and accumulated to 30 cm depth in Quito. Pyroclastic flows and surges also occurred, primarily to then W, and affected agricultural activity.

Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG)