Sierra Negre volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos (Ecuador): eruption update

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.

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Backgound: Sierra Negre is the largest of the Galapagos volcanoes, with a caldera 10 km in diameter. Its last eruptino occurred in 1979; the lava flows of that eruption did not pose any significant risk to the population of the island.