Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa declared a state of emergency following two minor explosions on Friday at the giant Cotopaxi volcano.
The decree suspends some constitutional rights and bans media from publishing unauthorized information. It will also allow the government to redirect budgeted funds for a possible emergency and prevent rumors from inciting panic. (What was it that Chicago’s mayor Rahm Emanuel said about never letting a serious crisis go to waste?)
Correa said that about 400 people have been voluntarily relocated to shelters after the explosions and expulsion of ash surprised nearby residents on Friday.
Cotopaxi, located about 43.5 miles south of Quito, last erupted in 1940, according to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program.
Thanks to Don Brown, Sonya Porter and Laurel for this link
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