In 2015, for the first time in about 130 years, the Cotopaxi volcano exploded. This time, it was nothing more than a loud noise that caused panic in the city of Latacunga, Ecuador. But experts know that once this volcano begins an eruptive cycle, a bigger, hyper-destructive eruption is not far behind.
For cities that are near Cotopaxi, lahars are the biggest threat. These occur when lava and gases melt glaciers into giant rivers of mud and rocks that destroy everything in their path. Lahars follow the paths of rivers that originate in the volcano, placing cities that face such rivers at risk of being destroyed.
Although a big eruption is imminent, the destruction of towns does not have to be. Community members and leaders have proposed infrastructure that could drastically minimize damages and loss of life. Their efforts include constructing giant trenches that stop the flow of lahars before they reach towns. Experts assure that this somewhat simplistic idea could save about 100,000 lives.
