Next to One of World’s Largest Volcanoes, Ecuadoreans Brace for What’s Next
As the Cotopaxi volcano rumbles back to life, future eruptions pose major risks for the country.
In June 2015, activity was detected in Ecuador’s Cotopaxi, one of the world’s largest volcanoes, for the first time in 100 years. The volcano began slowly erupting in August. The Ecuadorean government has begun preparing emergency response plans in case of an eruption, but future activity poses a high risk for the country—airspace could be closed for days, cell service could be disrupted and evacuation camps could quickly become overcrowded. Those most at risk are people living in and around Latacunga where the volcano is located.
NBC spoke with residents in Latacunga, as well as the neighboring town of Lasso, about Cotopaxi’s recent activity and future eruptions.
1. “People say that there is not going to be damage so we aren't that worried. The information from the government is that we have to sell our land and we have to leave, but we don't know where to go and we have no plans to sell.”
--Mayra Alexandra Topanta, 24
2. “We are afraid because it could explode in the middle of the night and we are worried that if it's a big explosion we won't have time to leave the city. We can't sleep at night."
--Cesar Santamaria, 50, standing with his brother Mario Sanatamaria, 51
3. “In the beginning we were afraid, but with the plans of the government, I feel prepared.”
--Patricia Pomaguashi, 34
4. “I am worried about my land and my animals but no matter what we are staying in our home--we are not evacuating.”
--Rosa Chimbo, 30
5. "The news is that it's ok and the volcano is not that active but we are really worried. We are suffering because our children study in Latacunga [proper] and we are far from there. We pay the school bus to bring our children to and from school, but we don't know how we will get them to bring them home if Cotopaxi goes off--that's the saddest part.”
--Laura Alvarado, 53, Mario Pruna, 40, Evelyn Pruna, 9
6. Community members play Ecua-volley in Lasso, a neighboring town on the outskirts of Latacunga.
7. Flowers grow on the edge of a farm field in Lasso. Agriculture is a major form of income for people in the community. Residue from a Cotopaxi eruption could devastate the land.
8. Malteria Plaza, a popular mall in Latacunga, is in the potential path of a Cotopaxi eruption.
9. An all-male prison on the edge of Latacunga would need to be evacuated if Cotopaxi erupts.
Tracy Jarrett reported from Ecuador as a fellow with the International Reporting Project.
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