It is reported, that strong eruptions at La Cumbre volcano set the rare species of animals on the Galapagos island in danger. Lava is flowing to the sea and strong eruptions occur.
 
 

As the Geophysical Institute of Ecuador reports, the eruption at Cerro Azul has resumed. A new eruptive fissure, about 400-500 long, opened on the SE flank on 3 June at 20h45 local time. Initial 60 m high lava fountaining and new lava flows were produced. The lava flows are directed towards the south coast of the island. Satellite imagery shows a 50 km long ash and gas plumes drifting north.

The lava flow at Cerro Azul volcano has already stopped on 3 June. It flowed ca. 10 km from the crater on the SE flank without causing much damage to wildlife. The lava followed the same path as the lava flows from the Cerro Azul volcano during eruptions in 1978 and 1998.
Wether this is already the end of the eruption or only a pause as in 1998, will be first evident in the next days.

A new eruption has started on the Galapagos islands: Cerro Azul volcano on the far SW of Isabela island, the largest of the archipel, 48 km from Puerto Villamil, started erupting late on 30 May at 21h43 local time as evident from seismic data.
First obseervations by tourists and park rangers indicate lava flows on the SE flanks of the volcano in the sector of Cinco Cerros. While there are no property or people threatened by the eruption, there's some concern for the endemic species of giant turtles called "Vicina" living exclusively on the slopes of Cerro Azul. The last eruption of Cerro Azul in June 1998 killed a small number of them.
This species had been almost extinguished during the 1950-60, but recovered with the help of reintroduction and protection, to reach its current population estimated to be between 1100 à 1200 individuals.

Lava stopped flowing at Sierra Negre volcano on the evening of 30th of Oct. 2005.
However, even 10 days after the end of the eruption, fires caused by the eruption continued, threatening some rare plants on the island. About 500 hectars in the National Park were burning on the W flank of the volcano in an area called Pampas de Velasco. This area is home to the largest population in the islands of the rare endemic plant Scalesia cordata, which was threatened by the fires. Therefore, the local authorities decided to intervene and take costly measures to extinguish the bushfire.

The eruption of Sierra Negre continues with lava flows confined to the vast caldera; it does not pose risks to populated areas. In the meanwhile, a group of scientists from the Geophysical Institute of Ecuador have visited the site and posted a detailed report about the eruption's first 3 days.

Eruption of Sierra Negre volcano on 25 Oct. 2005 (Photo: Jorge Penafiel / El Universo)

The eruption is continuing from a fissure inside the E part of the caldera of Sierra Negre, with lava fountains up to 200 m tall and large lava flows that have now covered about 20% of the caldera floor. Good eruption viewing possibilities are from a lookout on the caldera rim in the El Cura area.

Eruption plume of the opening phase of Sierra Negra volcano on 23 Oct. 2005 (photo: Greg Arancea, published on "El Universo" newspaper)


Lava fountains at Sierra Negra volcano (photo AP /APTN on "El Universo")

First photographs and more detailed information about the large eruption of Sierra Negre are emerging. As on Monday, 24 October, lava flows from a fissure have travelled 9-10 km away from the fissure. The eruption is accompanied by strong lava fountains. Near the eruption site, the terrain consists mainly of older, unvegetated lava flows. Two flows are travelling towards Elizabeth Bay, while a third one is heading towards Cartago Bay, both uninhabited areas.
The popoluation of Puerto Villamil is not threatened because of its sheltered position at the S of the island.

Sierra Negra volcano, also called "El Chico", on Isabela Island, Galapagos, erupted yesterday at 17h30 local time. As the Ecuadorian newspaper "El Universo" reports, an ash column estimated between 20 to 30 km high was observed. According witnesses from Santa Cruz island, two lava flows reached Elizabeth Bay, an uninhabitated settlement area close to the volcano. The island's main town, Puerto Villamil, 25 kilometers (15 miles) away, is not threatened by the eruption. Sierra Negro last erupted 1978.

The eruption at La Cumbre volcano is coming to an end as it appears from various news sources. On 29 May, 2005, only a weak hot spot was visible from satellite data and only a faint plume was emitted.

Fissure vents on the SW flank of La Cumbre (Photo: José Alvarado, El Univers)

Since the 18th of May, lava emission has been declining at La Cumbre volcano ...

NASA image of La Cumbre volcano, Fernandia Island, taken from the International Space Station in 2002.


Lava flows descending the SW flank of La Cumbre volcano / press photo courtesy AFP

Cumbre volcano on Fernandia Island, in the Galapagos Islands, erupted on May 13, with a steam and ash cloud up to 7 km high ...