On 5 February, beginning around 1300, three small gas emissions occurred at Guagua Pichincha. IG reported that this phreatic activity was associated with accumulated rainfall that was heated by magmatic material from the previous eruptive period, and was not related to renewed volcanic activity. After the emissions, a series of seismic signals associated with rockfalls and long-period earthquakes were recorded. The signals were related to degassing that commonly occurs after emissions. Cloudy conditions prevented observations of the volcano. IG recommended that people should not visit Guagua Pichincha's crater since emissions or explosions can occur at any time.

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)