ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THE ERUPTIVE PROCESS OF THE TUNGURAHUA VOLCANO ON THE PRECIPITATION PATTERNS OF HYDROGRAPHIC MICROBASINS LOCATED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE ZONE OF INFLUENCE

Abstract

The relationship between eruptive processes and precipitation is a topic that lacks research studies, perhaps due to the difficulty that is to have few scenarios, which satisfy conditions for statistical testing. Most of the available literature report a global impact after significant volcanic eruptions. Robock et al. (2008) concluded that the Pinatubo volcano eruption left precipitation consequences in the medium and long term. Kravitz y Robock (2011) suggested considering weather seasons on the estimation of the impact of volcanic eruptions. Allen e Ingram (2002) concluded that volcanic gasses are more important than greenhouse gasses on the climate change at a global level. In the Ambato river watershed (Ecuador), studies were conducted to evaluate the relationship between eruptive processes of the Tungurahua volcano and the variation in precipitation series. During the main eruptive events between 1999 and 2010, atypical precipitation values were determined during April, May, July, August, and December, with increments within 130.09% and 285.15% with respect to precipitation observations in the studied period (Ríos, 2014). The results of the present study demonstrate the relationship between rainfall anomalies and volcanic activity. Three watersheds were analyzed: (1) Ambato river watershed, located to the West of the volcano with direct impact of volcanic ash and SO2; (2) Drenajes Menores of the Pastaza river; and (3) Areas Menores of the Pastaza river. The latter are located to the East of the volcano with no impact from volcanic ash and SO2 due to the direction of wind flow

Keywords

: Modification, precipitation, volcanic eruption, Tungurahua

Resumen

La relación entre los procesos eruptivos y la precipitación es un tema que carece de investigaciónestudios, quizás por la dificultad de contar con pocos escenarios, que satisfagan condicionespara pruebas estadísticas. La mayor parte de la literatura disponible reporta un impacto global después deerupciones volcánicas. Robock et al. (2008) concluyeron que la erupción del volcán Pinatubo dejóconsecuencias de las precipitaciones a medio y largo plazo. Kravitz y Robock (2011) sugirieronconsiderando las estaciones climáticas en la estimación del impacto de las erupciones volcánicas. allen eIngram (2002) concluyó que los gases volcánicos son más importantes que los gases de efecto invernadero enel cambio climático a nivel global.En la cuenca del río Ambato (Ecuador) se realizaron estudios para evaluar la relaciónentre los procesos eruptivos del volcán Tungurahua y la variación de la precipitaciónserie. Durante los principales eventos eruptivos entre 1999 y 2010, valores atípicos de precipitaciónse determinaron durante los meses de abril, mayo, julio, agosto y diciembre, con incrementos dentro130.09% y 285.15% con respecto a las observaciones de precipitación en el periodo estudiado (Ríos,2014).The results of the present study demonstrate the relationship between rainfall anomalies andvolcanic activity. Three watersheds were analyzed: (1) Ambato river watershed, located to theWest of the volcano with direct impact of volcanic ash and SO2; (2) Drenajes Menores of thePastaza river; and (3) Areas Menores of the Pastaza river. The latter are located to the East ofthe volcano with no impact from volcanic ash and SO2 due to the direction of wind flow

Palabras Clave

Modificación, precipitación, erupción volcánica, Tungurahua

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