Urbanisation processes in zones threatened by volcanic activity: The case of Latacunga at the foot of Cotopaxi in Ecuador

Abstract

Where abrupt and dangerous natural phenomena unfold in highly populated areas, they destroy buildings and infrastructure and, above all, cause death and injury among local inhabitants. In the case of the active Ecuadorean volcano Cotopaxi, eruptions have already posed considerable threats to nearby towns and cities due to activated mudslides (lahars) that flow rapidly down its slopes. Interviews conducted with inhabitants of vulnerable residential areas of the town of Latacunga have led the authors to conclude that – in danger zones associated with possible mudslides – the lack of building land, inappropriate management of the allocation of building plots and still-inadequate early warning and monitoring systems have favoured the chaotic spread of built-up areas and thus pose a threat to the lives of inhabitants should Cotopaxi erupt again.

Community Perception and Communication of Volcanic Risk from the Cotopaxi Volcano in Latacunga, Ecuador

“…For the year 2020, and based on the population projections of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses [65], the city has an inferred population of approximately 205,600 inhabitants, with a major rural composition (59.8%). The last peak of volcanic activity of the Cotopaxi volcano occurred in mid-April 2015 and lead to a crisis in risk management in Latacunga and neighbouring municipalities [66]. Firstly, an increase in the seismic activity of the volcano was accompanied by the emission of sulphur dioxide and ash fall for some weeks [56].…”

“…Firstly, an increase in the seismic activity of the volcano was accompanied by the emission of sulphur dioxide and ash fall for some weeks [56]. Subsequently, authorities and local press communicated to the inhabitants of the communities in the vicinity of the Cotopaxi volcano that it was necessary to evacuate their homes promptly due to the imminent occurrence of lahars [66]. This generated social chaos due to the ignorance of the evacuation routes, the uncontrolled behaviour of the citizens (due to generalised fear of looting), as well as a very low level of trust in government representatives [67].…”

“…Moreover, it was realized how important it is for citizens to understand their own social, physical, and systemic vulnerability [68]. 2015 and lead to a crisis in risk management in Latacunga and neighbouring municipalities [66]. Firstly, an increase in the seismic activity of the volcano was accompanied by the emission of sulphur dioxide and ash fall for some weeks [56].…”

Reviewing volcano hazard and risk communications in Ecuador: experiences from a fast-format workshop

“…Many approaches must be tried since creating an effective communication mechanism or style can be difficult due to the economic and cultural conditions of each region[Gaillard and Dibben 2008; Haynes et al 2008;Jones et al 2013], and involvement of a diverse population can result in better communication strategies and risk reduction in general[Haynes et al 2020]. In Ecuador, many surveys have recorded the experiences and perceptions of inhabitants near volcanoes [e.g Tobin and Whiteford 2002;Christie et al 2015;Few et al 2017;Czerny and Czerny 2020;Gomez-Zapata et al 2021],. to achieve higher participation of the communities for the crisis management and for tailoring custom messages to better reach the public.…”