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Quito, 18 August of 2015 6:27

COTOPAXI VOLCANO

PRESS RELEASE 006

According to the information given by the Geophysical Institute and the

Secretary of Risk Management, a small amount of volcanic gases containing

ashes were released during the night and early morning, these gas emissions

reached a height of 700 meters above the crater and it spread towards the west

of the volcano. From 06:00 am a column of ashes could be observed flowing

down the crater due to meteorological and atmospheric conditions in the area.

The inner activity remains at similar levels than preceding days.

Today, a flyover the Cotopaxi volcano will take place with the participation of

technical experts from the Geophysical Institute, the Secretary of Risk

Management and the Ministry of Security Coordination to determine the current

conditions of the volcanic activity.

Thereby the yellow alert stays activated and we recommend the population to

stay calm and follow the reports given through the Ministry of Security

Coordination which is the only official spokesman for the emerging situation.

The organizations in charge of monitoring the volcano will continue to work

24/7. However, in order to assure their own safety, it is important that the

population stay alert and ready to respond adequately to an eventual

emergency.