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Report on Cerro Azul (Ecuador) — 18 June-24 June 2008


Cerro Azul

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 18 June-24 June 2008
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2008. Report on Cerro Azul (Ecuador) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 18 June-24 June 2008. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (18 June-24 June 2008)

Cerro Azul

Ecuador

0.92°S, 91.408°W; summit elev. 1640 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


According to news articles, a bulletin issued from Galápagos National Park indicated that eruptive activity from Cerro Azul decreased considerably during 16-17 June and on 18 June incandescent material was no longer ejected.

Geological Summary. Located at the SW tip of the J-shaped Isabela Island, Cerro Azul contains a steep-walled 4 x 5 km nested summit caldera complex that is one of the smallest diameter, but at 650 m one of the deepest in the Galápagos Islands. The shield volcano is the second highest of the archipelago. A conspicuous bench occupies the SW and west sides of the caldera, which formed during several episodes of collapse. Youthful lava flows cover much of the caldera floor, which has also contained ephemeral lakes. A prominent tuff cone located at the ENE side of the caldera is evidence of episodic hydrovolcanism. Numerous spatter cones dot the western flanks. Fresh-looking lava flows, many erupted from circumferential fissures, descend the NE and NW flanks. Historical eruptions date back only to 1932, but Cerro Azul has been one of the most active Galápagos volcanoes since that time. Solfataric activity continues within the caldera.

Source: EFE News Service