Reventador Volcano

Updated: Mar 24, 2025 14:52 GMT - refresh

Stratovolcano

Ecuador, -0.08°S / -77.66°W

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Summit height: 3562 m (11,686 ft)

Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)

Last update: 24 Mar 2025 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)

Vulcanian explosion at Reventador volcano in Jan 2020

Reventador, a 3562 m high stratovolcano, is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes.

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Typical eruption style: Explosive and effusive.
Reventador volcano eruptions: 1541, 1590, 1691, 1748, 1797, 1802, 1843, 1843, 1844, 1856, 1871, 1894, 1898-1906, 1912, 1926, 1929, 1936, 1944, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1972, 1973-74, 1976, 2002 (large eruption), 2004 (Nov) - 2005 (Jan), 2005 (June) - 2006 (March), 2008 (July) - ongoing

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Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location

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Background

Reventador had a major eruption on 3 November 2002, when it produced a 17-km-high eruption column, pyroclastic flows that traveled distances of up to 8 km, as well as lava flows from summit and flank vents.Reventador volcano belongs to a chain of volcanoes in the Cordillera Real, well east of the principal volcanic axis. The volcano is densely covered by forests and rises above the remote jungles of the western Amazon basin. The volcano has a 4-km-wide caldera that is widely breached to the east, which formed by collapse of the volcanic edifice. It is partially was formed by edifice collapse and is partially filled by a young, unvegetated stratovolcano rising about 1300 m above the caldera floor to a height above the caldera rim.
During historical times, Reventador has produced numerous lava flows and explosive eruptions that could even be seen from Quito. Rainfalls frequently produce mud-flows (lahars) that have accumulated a large debris plain on the eastern floor of the caldera.

Geologic History of Reventador volcano
Reventador volcano was constructed during 3 principal phases:
1) Basal Volcanic Complex
A stratovolcano began its construction ca. 350,000-400,000 years ago. The volcano suffered major collapse and produced an avalanche deposit of about 20 cubic km volume, about 30,000 years ago.

2) The intermediate volcano, called Volcán Paleo Reventador, is a stratovolcano which grew inside the caldera left by the collapse of the Basal Volcanic Complex. It, too, was destroyed by a large collapse of the east flank. The debris avalanche of this event is easily recognizable in topography and has a volume of 8 cubic km. The age of this collapse is estimated at 20,000 years ago.

3) The present volcano Reventador, one of the most active in Ecuador, followed the collapse of the intermediate volcano. It has been particularly active during the twentieth century. Significant eruptions occurred in 1922, 1926, 1929, 1936, 1944, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1972, 1973-1974 and 1976.

Source: Samaniego et al (2005) "Temporal Evolution of Magmatism in the Northern Volcanic Zone of the Andes: The Geology and Petrology of Cayambe Volcanic Complex (Ecuador)", J. Petrology, v. 46 (11), pp. 2225-2252

Lahars were observed at the volcano in June 2007, after ash emissions in May 2007.

Significant volcanic eruptions: Reventador volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Reventador has had at least 26 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Reventador volcano since around 1800. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Reventador can be found on the news page of Reventador volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
2008 Jul 27 - ongoing	Historical obs./docs.	2
2007 Mar 15 ±7 d. - Oct 11 ?	Historical obs./docs.	2
2004 Nov 7 ±3 d. - 2006 Mar 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
2002 Nov 3 - 2003 Jan 10 ?	Summit and SE flank (2600 m) Historical obs./docs.	4
2002 Nov 3 (eruption 2002 Nov 3 - 2003 Jan 10 ?)	Historical obs./docs.	4	1-50 (*)	light	Info
2002 Nov 3: Widespread ashfall to the Wand SW caused visibility problems, respiratory ailments, some roof collapses, and an undisclosed number of deaths and injuries to people attempting to clean their roofs of ash. (reference #9675) Effects of the 2002 eruption. Widespread ashfall to the W and SW caused visibility problems, respiratory ailments, some roof collapses, an undisclosed number of deaths and injuries to people attempting to clean their roofs of ash, crop damages, cattle illnesses, closure of Quito's airport for eight days, and power outages in some areas for up to four days. Legally enforced cleaning of all public streets and sidewalks by broom-wielding residents limited the amount of ash entering sewer systems. Lower speed limits were put in place to reduce airborne ash kicked up by passing vehicles. Ecuador's principal crude oil pipeline, although not severed, remained threatened by daily debris flows. (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1976 Jan 4 - May 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1973 Nov 16 ±15 d. - 1974 Jul 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	3
1972 Jul 16 ±15 d. - Sep 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1960 Jun 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	3
1958 Nov 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	3
1955 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1944 Feb 24 - Mar 1	Historical obs./docs.	3
1936 Aug 27	Historical obs./docs.	3
1929	Historical obs./docs.	3
1926 Jan 5 ±4 d. - May	Historical obs./docs.	3
1912 Feb - Mar	Historical obs./docs.	3
1898 Apr 8 - 1906	Historical obs./docs.	3
1894	Historical obs./docs.	3
1871 Jan 30	Historical obs./docs.	2
1856 Dec 12 - Dec 13	Historical obs./docs.	3
1843 Dec 7	Historical obs./docs.	3
1844	Historical obs./docs.	3
1843 or before	Historical obs./docs.	2?

(*) Estimated numbers

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Eruptions of Reventador volcano

2008 eruptions
On 8 November 2008, residents of El Chaco village about 35 km SE of the volcano heard explosion sounds from Reventador. On 9 November, strombolian explosions and 2 lava flows were observed descending the north and south flanks of the central cone.

2002 eruption
Reventador volcano erupted suddenly on 3 November 2002 after 26 years of inactivity. Lava flows descended along the Montana, Marquez and Piedra Fina ravines, destroying roads and highways between Quito and Lago Agrio and damaged local farms.
At 09h12 local time, the main phase of the eruption began, producing an ash column rising to 16-17 km height above the summit. 3-4 hours later, the ash cloud reached the Inter-Andean Valley and the capital Quito ca. 100 km away from the volcano, where it caused almost total darkness in the late afternoon. The ash plume left a layer of fine gray ash up to 3-5 mm thick everywhere.
Over 2 million people were directly affected by the eruption, most of them by ash fall in areas up to 100-200 km distance. Near the volcano, pyroclastic flows devastated the flanks, reaching 8 km from the breached caldera, flowing down steep slopes to reach the Quijos river.
Heavy ashfall occurred in the provinces of Pichincha, Napo and Sucumbios and caused the closing of the international airport of Quito. The Trans Ecuadorian oil pipeline was shut down as precautionary measures.
2 people were seriously injured by impacts of falling tephra. 22 people from surrounding rural areas were evacuated. The Government of Ecuador declared a local emergency and made preparations for the potential evacuation of 3,000 people from the areas closest to the volcano, specifically from the village of El Reventador.
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Source: Smithsonian / GVP monthly reports

Reventador Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Reventador volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Reventador began in 2008 and is continuing (as of March 2025).

+How often does Reventador volcano erupt?

Since 1541 AD, Reventador volcano has had at least 26 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 18.6 years.
Many eruptions of Reventador have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 54 out of 484 years until now. In other words, Reventador has been active at least one in 9 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Reventador is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Reventador volcano at present?

Reventador volcano is very active: Since 1900, it has had 43 eruptions, and been active during 43 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Reventador has been in eruption one in 2.9 years on average. The latest eruption is still continuing at present.

+When was the largest eruption of Reventador volcano?

The largest eruption of Reventador volcano in historic times occurred during 2002 - 2003. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

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See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

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Reventador Volcano Tours

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Reventador Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).