Renzo Gómez Vega
Since early Tuesday morning, a shower of ash has endangered at least 2,000 people in southern Peru. Ubinas, the most active volcano among the 400 volcanic structures in the Andean country, has become active again, triggering concerns among authorities and the people of nearby towns. Since its initial eruption, which formed an ash column up to five kilometers high and dispersed within a radius of 10 kilometers, there have been 17 explosions in the past two days. Those affected are having trouble breathing due to the ash and dust that has covered their homes, in addition to the smell of burnt fuel.
The last time Ubinas, located in the Moquegua region, showed volcanic activitywas in July 2019. The eruptions, which lasted for three months, reached eight kilometers above the crater, and dispersed within a radius of 250 kilometers. Although the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) has predicted that this eruption will be no more than moderate, the duration and real magnitude cannot be determined precisely.
On Wednesday, the government Cabinet approved the declaration of a state of emergency in seven districts of the General Sánchez Cerro province in Moquegua for 60 days. These districts are Coalaque, Chojata, Ichuña, Lloque, Matalaque, Ubinas, and Yunga. The declaration states, “It has been determined that the population, cultivated areas, among others, are exposed to very high risk due to the eruptive process of the Ubinas volcano, with the condition of imminent danger being recognised.” The document also justifies the decision, citing that “the response capacity of the Moquegua regional government has been exceeded; therefore, the technical and operational intervention of government entities is necessary.”
A massive volcano in Iceland could erupt in days after 1,200 earthquakes were recorded.
The quakes have all been detected at Fagradalsfjall on the Reykanes peninsular since 10pm on July 4. Scientists from the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the University of Iceland are due to meet with the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management to discuss the situation.
Reports from Iceland Review suggest there are signs that there has been an uplift and rise in magma collecting below the surface.
This increase has been measured on the Reykjanes peninsular since the beginning of April.
Despite the fears of an eruption in the coming days, there is allegedly no indication that an eruption is imminent despite the fact there have been 1,200 earthquakes on the peninsular.
Of these quakes, eight have been measured as above three in magnitude with the largest quake believed to have been between 3.6 and 3.7.
No comments:
Post a Comment