This picture was taken from an airplane window. foto courtesy of Jaime Palacio


Bursts of ash spew from the snow-encircled crater of the Cotopaxi Volcanoand fall in gusts on this village where the locals struggle to herd sheep and cattle to safety.


Capped by glaciers, the 19,350-foot (5,987-meter) volcano is one of the world's most feared due to its location just 30 miles (50 kilometers) from theEcuadorean capital Quito.


Although officials say there currently is no such risk, a major eruption could hurl rock and mudflows into zones that are home to more than 300,000 people. The government has set a yellow precautionary alert, the lowest of three levels.

Comments

Popular Posts