Volcano in Ecuador erupting

From: SelbyHort at aol.com on 1999.10.07 at 01:06:35(3706) The following posting was obtained from the NOAA site that monitors volcanic activity worldwide. Apparently the Guagua Pichincha Volcano that overlooks Quito has erupted with a thick cloud of ash. For those who might know them, Dr. Tom Croat, Dr. Dick Mansell, Lynn Hannon and Tom's assistant Beth, are all now in this area of Ecuador. I imagine that their trip to Lita will be eventful and memorable. At any rate, the eruption does not sound like a huge exposion such as Mt. St. Helens, but the ash falling over the area is sure to add some excitement to their travels. -Donna Atwood Selby Gardens +More ************************************** FVXX20 KWBC 052225.VOLCANIC ASH ADVISORY STATEMENT ISSUED 2225 UTC 05 OCTOBER 1999 BY THE WASHINGTON VAAC . GUAGUA PICHINCHA 99-027 ECUADOR 0.17S 78.60W . BACKGROUND: GUAGUA PICHINCHA (1502-02) SUMMIT HEIGHT 15,695FT (4784 M) . SOURCES OF INFORMATION: THE GEOPHYSICAL INSTITUTE IN ECUADOR...GOES-8 VISIBLE INFRARED AND MULTISPECTRAL IMAGERY...QUITO SURFACE OBSERVATIONS. ERUPTION DETAILS: ERUPTION OCCURRED AROUND 05/1915 UTC. ASH IS NOW REACHING FL650.DETAILS OF ASH CLOUD: A MAJOR VOLCANIC EXPLOSION AT THE GUAGUA PICHINCHA VOLCANO WAS REPORTED BY THE GEOPHYSICAL INSTITUTE LOCATED NEAR THE VOLCANO. WHILE THE ERUPTION OCCURRED SEVERAL HOURS AGO THERE WAS A VERY IMPRESSIVE ASH CLOUD PRODUCED AND IT IS NOW COVERING A LARGE AREA. THE CITY OF QUITO IS REPORTING ASH OVERHEAD AND IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT A RATHER LARGE PORTION OF NORTHERN ECUADOR HAS AN ASH CLOUD OVER IT. THE ASH IS ENCROACHING ON NEIGBORING COLUMBIA. MORE IMPORTANTLY THERE IS NOW SUGGESTION THAT THE ASH HAS ASCENDED TO FL650 BASED ON THE LAST TWO HOURS OF IMAGERY. SATELLITE IMAGERY THROUGH 2145 UTC INDICATES A THICK ASH CLOUD EXTENDING 312 KM BETWEEN 0.4S 79.7W AND 0S 76.9W. THE ASH CLOUD IS ABOUT 96 KM WIDE TO THE WEST OF THE SUMMIT AND SHRINKS TO 79 KM WIDE EAST OF THE SUMMIT.. TRAJECTORY: ASH UP TO FL400 IS MOVING TO THE WEST AT 20 TO 30 KNOTS WHILE ASH ABOVE FL400 TO FL650 IS MOVING VERY QUICKLY EAST AT 40KNOTS.. REAL TIME SATELLITE IMAGERY ALONG WITH THIS AND OTHER VOLCANIC ASH ADVISORY STATEMENTS OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY A MAP DEPICTING ASH LOCATION ARE AVAILABLE AT INTERNET URL ADDRESS www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/washington.html(all lower case except /VAAC/)

From: Regferns at aol.com on 1999.10.07 at 22:03:48(3709) Hello Donna, It appears that we will be in Sarasota on Sunday to go to the Golden Apple. We will head out of there on Monday, perhaps we can see you then? Reggie Whitehead

From: Betsytrips at aol.com on 1999.10.07 at 22:08:38(3710) Donna they knew what they were getting into before they left because this volcano event started a few days before departure. No telling how this trip will be for them. I know Lynn and Dick were concerned and I suspect Tom was also. Pinchincha is north of Quito right on their path to the North to get to Ibarra and then down to Lita. Who knows what the military will be doing about letting people into remote areas right now. There is a second volcano just above Banos south of Quito that is also rumbling along with a few earthquakes from both locals. Life is very interesting and very unpredictable right now in Ecuador and then throw in a monetary crisis and live should be eventful. This is one of those times when there is definitely more to be revealed. We certainly wish them well and hope they side with just a bit of caution perhaps. As is usual, all those predictions usually do not materialize. Let's hope. +More Betsy

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