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Telica erupts!

Many families have lived on the slopes of Volcán Telica for twenty years or more and they are used to a certain amount of volcanic activity.  This week though, things have been different.   INETER, the Nicaraguan geological survey, has reported that increased activity in the crater of Volcán Telica has been observed since April.   A team of geologists from the University of Pennsylvania has been monitoring activity since 9^th May and recorded 59 explosions in a week.  The temperature in the crater has risen and yesterday several stronger explosions occurred.  Ash columns up to 2.6 km high rose from the crater after each explosion and lingered before falling on the surrounding areas.  Some of the explosions were easily visible from the roof of our offices 19 km away in León.  A change in the usual prevailing wind direction has meant that this ash has fallen on the communities of Agua Fría, El Ojochal and El Ñajo.  As the explosions have continued daily, the local authorities and emergency services have met to plan their response. 

The Nuevas Esperanzas team have been very involved.  Not many people work with these remote communities so our local knowledge has been invaluable.  We have census data for the families most at risk and we know the roads as well as anyone – after all, we should do as we helped the communities build them!  Yesterday, the Mayor of Telica asked for our help with transport and two of our team went up to Agua Fría to offer technical and practical help, driving though a cloud of fine pinkish ash.  The army and police began to evacuate women and children although many were reluctant to leave.  As the rains have begun several families have just planted and are reluctant to risk losing their crops or to abandon their houses because of the risk of looting.  Our team brought down women and children as well as our building supervisor who has been working on a project to improve the spring in Agua Fría.  Work at the spring will have to wait until the volcano has quietened down.

Today, some of our team went up to El Ojochal del Listón to meet with the community and explain the situation as far as possible.  As little noise from the volcano had been heard and the crater cannot be seen from most of the houses, few were worried or willing to be evacuated.  Although many have relatives they could stay with they are reluctant to leave.  Most of the men planned to stay in El Ojochal but the problem of who will cook for them is a serious one!  Some of the women and children were brought down, however, and will stay in the village of San Jacinto for the time being.  The local authorities are planning to provide food for those who are evacuated so lists of anyone we brought down were made and passed on.

While others were in El Ojochal, two of our team were at the centre of operations in the town of Telica.  The head of the emergency response committee, COMUPRED, which includes the army, emergency services and local authorities, was very impressed to see maps of the area and the 5 km evacuation radius appearing on the screen behind him as he explained the situation.  Using imagery from Google Earth and GPS data we had previously collected, we were able to produce a map showing every house in the evacuation zone complete with names of the families who live there.  Our local knowledge helped to plan evacuation routes and prioritise those who are most at risk.  Our newest member of staff, Leonardo Zapata, will continue to provide GIS support to the emergency planning committee for as long as needed, whilst our Programme Director, Luke Pekrul, is serving on a committee to plan supplies for a potential evacuation of all communities within 6 km.  A volcanic eruption is beyond the control of all of us but we are very glad to be able to help the communities we work with and the local authorities in every way we can.

19/05/11