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Shifts in activity at long-active, open-vent volcanoes are difficult to forecast because precursory signals are enigmatic and can be lost in and amongst daily activity. Here, we propose that crater and vent morphologies, along with summit height, can help us bring some insights into future activity at one of Ecuador’s most active volcanoes El Reventador. On 3 November 2002, El Reventador volcano experienced the largest eruption in Ecuador in the last 140 years and has been continuously active ever since with transitions between and coexistence of explosive and effusive activity, characterized by Strombolian and Vulcanian behavior. Based on the analysis of a large dataset of thermal and visual images, we determined that in the last 20 years of activity, the volcano faced three destructive events: A. Destruction of the upper part of the summit leaving a north-south breached crater (3 November 2002), B. NE border crater collapse (2017), and C. NW flank collapse (2018), with two periods of reconstruction of the edifice: Period 1. Refill of the crater (2002-early 2018) and Period 2. Refill of the 2018 scar (April 2018–December 2022). Through photogrammetric analysis of visual and thermal images acquired in 11 overflights of the volcano, we created a time-series of digital elevation models (DEMs) to determine the maximum height of the volcano at each date, quantify the volume changes between successive dates, and characterize the morphological changes in the summit region. We estimate that approximately 34.1x106 m3 of volcanic material was removed from the volcano due to destructive events, whereas 64.1x106 m3 was added by constructive processes. The pre-2002 summit height was 3,560 m and due to the 2002 eruption it decreased to 3,527 m; it regained its previous height between 2014 and 2015 and the summit crater was completely filled by early April 2018. Event A resulted from an intrusion of magma that erupted violently; we proposed that Events B and C could be a result of an intrusion as well but may also be due to a lack of stability of the volcano summit which occurs when it reaches its maximum height of approximately 3,590 and 3,600 m.

The volcanoes of Galápagos, Ecuador, are among the most active in the world, with an average of five eruptions per decade. Monitoring and communication of their activity are essential for timely management of events. In this context, the Instituto Geofísico de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional carries out constant surveillance of Galápagos volcanoes using geophysical monitoring, remote sensing, and field campaigns with the support of the Dirección del Parque Nacional Galápagos. Collaborations with national emergency agencies and international scientists have been key to ensuring the protection of the population, economic activities, and endemic fauna of Galápagos. Since 2010, there have been numerous changes in the way volcanic unrest and eruptions are detected and communicated to decision-makers and the general public. This paper summarizes six eruptions and one period of unrest from different Galápagos volcanoes that occurred in the last decade to illustrate and discuss the evolution of surveillance and hazard communication.

Monitoring the evolution of lava flows is a challenging task for volcano observatories, especially in remote volcanic areas. Here we present a near real-time (every 12 h) and free tool for producing interactive thermal maps of the advance of lava flows over time by taking advantage of the free thermal data provided by FIRMS and the open-source R software. To achieve this, we applied two filters on the FIRMS datasets, one on the satellite layout (track) and another on the fire radiative power (FRP). To determine the latter, we carried out a detailed statistical analysis of the FRP values of nine hotspot subaerial eruptions that included Cumbre Vieja-2021 (Spain), Fagradalsfjall-2021 (Iceland), LERZ Kilauea-2018 (USA), and six eruptions on the Galápagos Archipelago (Ecuador). We found that an FRP filter of 35 ± 17 MW/pixel worked well at the onset and during the first weeks of an eruption. Afterward, once the cumulative statistical parameters had stabilized, a filter that better fit the investigated case could be obtained by running our statistical code. Using the suggested filters, the thermal maps resulting from our mapping code have an accuracy higher than 75% on average when compared with the official lava flow maps of each eruption and an offset of only 3% regarding the maximum lava flow extension. Therefore, our easy-to-use codes constitute an additional, novel, and simple tool for rapid preliminary mapping of lava fields during crises, especially when regular overflights and/or unoccupied aerial vehicle campaigns are out of budget.

After eight years of quiescence, Fernandina volcano experienced two short-lived eruptions, on 4 September 2017 and 16 June 2018. The eruptions were characterized by very short periods of unrest that started a few hours before the initiation of the eruptive activity. On the other hand, Sierra Negra volcano (Isabela Island) began a new eruptive period on 26 June 2018, after almost one year of persistent unrest characterized by an increase in the magnitude and number of seismic events and more than 5 meters of uplift since its last eruption in 2005. The Sierra Negra and Fernandina eruptions were located in remote zones where access is extremely complex. Thus, satellite images complement the continuous monitoring data of the Instituto Geofísico (IG-EPN) with remote observations and allow rapid response mapping in order to identify the areas affected by the lava flows. Finally, the aim of this Report is to encourage other scientists to investigate the behaviors of both pre-eruptive and eruptive periods registered during these eruptions.

Ninety-eight Quaternary volcanoes have been identified in the Ecuadorian Andes and the Galápagos Islands, from them, nine experienced at least one eruption in the last twenty years. Additionally, about 35 % of the Ecuadorian population live in areas that could be affected by future volcanic eruptions. The Instituto Geofísico of the Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN) monitors and evaluates Ecuador’s volcanic hazards: nineteen volcanic hazard maps and hundreds of related articles have been published as a result of its research. The monitoring networks include eighteen volcanoes, with more than 266 stations, which also form the basis for early warning systems at several volcanoes. Volcanic activity is widely communicated by the IG-EPN through periodic information published in different media (website and social networks). Ecuadorian volcanoes will erupt in the future and, therefore, the IGEPN continuously updates its monitoring and hazard assessment practices and improves communication channels and protocols to successfully fulfil its responsibilities. Noventa y ocho volcanes cuaternarios han sido identificados en los Andes ecuatorianos y Galápagos de los cuales nueve han experimentado erupciones al menos una vez en los últimos veinte años. Adicionalmente, alrededor del 35 % de la población ecuatoriana vive en zonas que podrían ser afectadas durante futuras erupciones. El Instituto Geofísico de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN) monitorea y evalúa la amenaza volcánica del país y, como resultado de sus investigaciones, diecinueve mapas de amenaza volcánica y centenares de artículos científicos han sido publicados. Las redes de vigilancia comprenden dieciocho volcanes e incluyen más de 266 estaciones, que son parte también de los sistemas de alerta temprana. La actividad volcánica es comunicada amplia y periódicamente por el IG-EPN a través diferentes medios (página web y redes sociales). Comprendiendo que futuras erupciones ocurrirán en Ecuador, el IG-EPN continúa actualizando sus prácticas de vigilancia y evaluación de la amenaza, y mejorando sus protocolos de comunicación para cumplir exitosamente sus responsabilidades.

Volcanic activity is always accompanied by the transfer of heat from the Earth’s crust to the atmosphere. This heat can be measured from space and its measurement is a very useful tool for detecting volcanic activity on a global scale. MIROVA (Middle Infrared Observation of Volcanic Activity) is an automatic volcano hot spot detection system, based on the analysis of MODIS data (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer). The system is able to detect, locate and quantify thermal anomalies in near real-time, by providing, on a dedicated website (www.mirovaweb.it), infrared images and thermal flux time-series on over 200 volcanoes worldwide. Thanks to its simple interface and intuitive representation of the data, MIROVA is currently used by several volcano observatories for daily monitoring activities and reporting. In this paper, we present the architecture of the system and we provide a state of the art on satellite thermal data usage for operational volcano monitoring and research. In particular, we describe the contribution that the thermal data have provided in order to detect volcanic unrest, to forecast eruptions and to depict trends and patterns during eruptive crisis. The current limits and requirements to improve the quality of the data, their distribution and interpretation are also discussed, in the light of the experience gained in recent years within the volcanological community. The results presented clearly demonstrate how the open access of satellite thermal data and the sharing of derived products allow a better understanding of ongoing volcanic phenomena, and therefore constitute an essential requirement for the assessment of volcanic hazards.

This research focuses on the main export product of Ecuador which is organic banana produced by the alliance of associated producers in El Guabo canton called "ASOGUABO". The Motoragsa oganization Cía. Ltd. intends the massification of Drones for the fumigation process, considering as main axes the economic, social and environmental ones. The type of research was non-experimental, mixed and with emphasis on the qualitative approach. As a result, the urgent need to do business with producers is established by promoting schools of new arts, languages and technologies. Drone imports will be based on certified qualities such as ISO 9001, ensuring a long-term business with the stock of spare parts and ready to give training talks for proper after-sales service