The people Baños de Agua Santa, in the Republic of Ecuador, staying at their summits the Tungurahua volcano, erupting since 1999. We decided to visit a close after seeing his ashes (Figure 1) from the plane between Quito and Loja, where we went to the 1st International Workshop on Geological Heritage, Mining and Metallurgy.
Figure 1. Eruption of the Tungurahua volcano, Tungurahua Province, Ecuador.
To reach the village Baños de Agua Santa from Quito have to reach the bus terminal, we recommend you use the trolley (we were gratified by their efficiency, runs 24 hours). Upon arrival at the modern terminal Quitumbe pay $ 3.50 and get ready to enjoy 4 hours of Andean landscapes.
amazing how organized you are the people of Bath to receive tourists and risk-based volcanic. There seems to be a good plan in early warning, we assumed for its well-marked evacuation routes throughout the town (Fig. 2).
Figure 2. Signaling the evacuation route to the volcanic risk people
tourist offer is 100% nature: hot springs, waterfalls, views, and climbing the volcano, some companies offer climbing and rafting. We went to its famous hot springs and for $ 2 to enter these hot pools that make you forget any problems in the world, hence we started to climb to the Mirador de Bella Vista, where you can observe the volcano. The view of town from the climb is spectacular: a long valley, well embedded between these volcanic mountains (Fig. 3)
Figure 3. Valle de Baños de Agua Santa
The climb is not easy, is very steep and have to be a little in the way, after an hour of walking we reach one of the lookouts. To our surprise, although the last tourists that we are in the way we said it was quite cloudy and there was a volcano, when we arrived and discovered stunning displays, we saw it erupt (Fig. 4)
Figure 4. Tungurahua Volcano Eruption, June 14, 2010
A site with tremendous potential for geo-tourism practices and geoconservation, working in education on geological hazards, community involvement in tourism strategy and be a potential Geopark.
We were very pleased with the visit of Tungurahua, we hope to return, although in better shape.
We were very pleased with the visit of Tungurahua, we hope to return, although in better shape.
Roiger Lopez and Jesus Salazar
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