The Cotopaxi volcano, located 60 kilometres from Quito in Ecuador, which has been silent for almost over 70 years has erupted. 

Reports of falling ash and the smell of sulphur is being reported in nearby Machachi, Ecuador following Cotopaxi volcano eruption.

The last major eruption was in the 1940s, but since then the Cotopaxi had been quiet. However, in the last few months,  Ecuador's volcano monitoring agency - IG-EPN had raised fears that the volcano may go active again as there have been some 100 small earthquakes per day in the region.

Signature tremor associated with fluid movement at volcano also was reported.

 Live Updates

* On Sunday, with the volcano shows signs of an immediate eruption, Ecuador has declared a state of emergency in the region.

* Local officials say the volcanic activity has decreased significantly but they are still closely monitoring Cotopaxi for possible renewed increase.

* Ecuador has issued a Yellow alert following the volcanic activity. According to USGS, code Yellow is issued when a volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background level. 

* Local claim till now there has been a total of four explosions from Cotopaxi.

* Ash from Cotopaxi shot up 5 km high in the air. Cotopaxi is world's most dangerous active volcano due to its proximity to residential settlements.

Cotopaxi went active on 14 August [Video]

* Ash from Cotopaxi has considerably affected visibility in Quito and other areas. Local residents are wearing masks in the city streets.

* Two phreatic eruptions took place at Cotopaxi volcano this morning. A phreatic eruption is a steam eruption without lava ejection. It is a common precursor of volcanic activity.

* Volcanologists from the Instituto Geofisico are expected to visit the summit to access the situation.

* Locals have been asked by the government officials to use precautions when venturing outside to avoid inhaling ash. No evacuations have been ordered yet.

* "We are monitoring the situation closely," Ecuador's volcano monitoring agency - IG-EPN.

* Locals heard two loud explosions followed by a rain of ash and strong smell of sulphur.

* Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and the second highest summit in the country.

* Cotopaxi's most violent eruptions in historical times occurred in the years 1744, 1768, and 1877. In the 1877 eruption pyroclastic flows descended all sides of the mountain, with lahars travelling more than 100 km into the Pacific Ocean and western Amazon basin draining the valley. There was a major eruption in 1903 through 1904, and some minor activity in 1942 as well as 1975 but it did not produce any major events. (via sguisard.astrosurf.com)

Cotopaxi Volcano Photos

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