Ecuadorian Volcano and Its Effects on Inter-Andean Valley

Recently scientists have analyzed volcanic danger on Cotopaxi in Ecuador. The research team was from the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, the Italian Space Agency (ASI), and the Instituto Geofisico -- Escuela Politecnica Nacional (IGEPN) of Ecuador.

By using a powerful technique known as Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), the scientists tried to show an increasing volcanic danger. As per the research, The Andes region in which Cotopaxi volcano is located is known to contain some of the world's most serious volcanic hazards. The scientists have warned that each small and big volcano has the capacity to immediately melt the summit glacier.

This eruption process will also result in devastating mudflows that would intersect with several towns in the Inter-Andean valley.  This valley is known as one of the most densely populated regions of Ecuador. The scientists stated that they were able to detect three centimeters of ground inflation along one flank of the volcano during the pre-eruption period with the help of InSAR technique.

By: Priyanka Negi

Content: www.sciencedaily.com