The Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) argued that recent telluric movements recorded around the Misti (Arequipa) volcano, do not represent an imminent danger of an eruption that, in the eventual case of producing, would affect and endanger more than one million Peruvians.
During the presentation of results of the ‘Paucarpata Exposed Zone Identification Studythe IGP pointed out that the ash fall would be one of the most direct effects on the city of Arequipa if a volcanic eruption process was given.
Hernando Tavera, executive president of the IG, said in the meeting that, despite the telluric activity, the volcano does not represent, for the moment, sufficient danger to raise the alarm to an “orange” stadium, which would indicate an imminent eruption.
“If Arequipa has more than one million people, of inhabitants, there are obviously more than one million population that is exposed (in case of eruption),” said the president.
“The Misti volcano is considered of greater danger, but not because it is in eruptive process,” tavera clarified during the presentation of the study, “But for the amount of population that is exposed to a possible eruptive process.”
The last eruption of the Misti is estimated that it was about 500 years ago, According to the executive president of the PGP that, he stressed, in case of repeating himself, It could affect even Arequipa districts remote as Uchumayo, Yura, Cerro Colorado and Jacobo Hunter.
In this regard, the PGI said that it will facilitate plans and areas of evacuation and simulation to regional municipalities and governments, to preserve the safety of citizenship in the event of the catastrophe, an action that adds to the request of the Municipality of Paucarpata of a study for the identification of possible risks.
