1. Megan Lasher and Natalie Thompson Dept. of Geology, Colby College
El Reventador
Megan Lasher and Natalie Thompson
Dept. of Geology, Colby College

2. Location: Northern Ecuador
Photos courtesy of Google Maps ©

3. Plate tectonics of the Andes
Reventador is located in the northern Andes, which are along the South American tectonic plate, next to the Nazca Plate.

4. The Basics Type: Stratovolcano Elevation: 11,683 ft Features:
- 4 km.- wide caldera on the eastern side
- A dome named “El Copote”
- Flank vents
- A steam and gas plume in the central cone

5. Eruptive history 22 times in recorded history, starting in 1541
Most active in the 20th and 21st centuries, with 15 eruptions recorded since 1912

6. Eruptive history continued
Basal Volcanic Complex
Intermediate volcano growth
Present-day Volcano Reventador

7. Eruption descriptions
The most recent eruptions have been characterized by:
2002:
Pyroclastic flows and major ash clouds accompanied lava flows from the summit and flank vents
2007:
Lahars observed in June after ash emissions in May
2008:
Categorized as a Strombolian explosion
with two lava flows.

8. 2.6 million people within 100km The 2002 eruption caused a layer
Hazards
2.6 million people within 100km
The 2002 eruption caused a layer
of ash 3-5 mm thick
The last eruption forced the Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline to shut down

9. Andesite/Basaltic Andesite Basalt/Picro-Basalt Dacite
Rocks
Andesite/Basaltic Andesite
Basalt/Picro-Basalt
Dacite
Pyroclastic flows: black basaltic andesite, olivine, augite, hypersthene, hornblende

10. Current Activity
Tremors, earthquakes, explosions, steam emissions, incandescent lava flows
Tourism
Located in the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve
Cameras and seismometers around El Reventador monitor the frequent seismic activity

11. Bibliography
Smithsonian Institution: Global Volcanism Program, 2013, at (accessed 22 January, 2015)
Volcano Discovery, 2014, at (accessed 22 January, 2015)
Oregon State University: Volcano World, 2015, at (accessed 22 January, 2015)
Vulkaner, 2014, at (accessed 22 January, 2015)
Ecuador Travel Guide: The Best of Ecuador, 2001, at (accessed 22 January, 2015)
Summit Post, 2006, at (accessed 22 January, 2015)