Ecuador: Dozens of Quakes Registered at Volcanic Complex

Over 60 seismic activities were recorded in the northern highlands of the Cuicocha volcanic complex in Cotacachi, Ecuador between Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Geophysical Institute (IG) of the National Polytechnic School of Ecuador. 

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About one dozen of the earthquakes, all measuring 2.5 in magnitude, were felt in the neighboring town of Quiroga. The activities were registered by a geophysical network installed in the vicinity of the volcano. The quakes were reportedly related to the fracture of rocks.

"The Geophysical Institute maintains permanent monitoring in the volcanic complex and any change in its activity will be informed in a timely manner," IG said, noting that the most recent eruption at the complex dates back to about 2,900 years ago. 

The institute added that no seismic events related to the movement of fluids inside the mountain, which is located in the province of Imbabura, have been detected. 

Most of the seismic movements were located near the volcano, which sits inside a lake that is some 3.5 kilometers in diameter. Cuicocha is about 3,250 meters above sea level and maintains a habitual hydrothermal activity.

The Cotacachi-Cuicocha volcanic complex is located in the west of the Ecuadorean Andes, about 100 kilometers north of capital Quito. The geophysical institute also monitors volcanic activities in Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Cayambe and Guagua Pichincha, among others.

Ecuador is located in the very active Pacific Ring of Fire and has more than 50 volcanoes, which includes the Reventador.