Ecology

Ecuador has declared an emergency in the Galapagos Islands, warning that a stricken cargo ship that ran aground last week threatens the archipelago’s fragile ecosystem. The country’s environment minister Lorena Tapia Nunez said 19,000 gallons of diesel had been removed from the Galapaface I, but other pollutants inside the vessel could spill into the water....

Ecuador’s Tungurahua volcano has spewed a 6-mile column of ash after a powerful, five-minute explosion that shot pyroclastic material onto its northern and northwestern flanks. Ecuador’s geophysics institute said Friday’s blast occurred at 6:10 p.m. local time and was followed by a second, four-minute explosion and five lesser tremors. Two more less intensive explosions followed....

The Reventador  volcano entered a new eruptive phase on Tuesday, Ecuador’s Institute of Geophysics (IGP) reported. Begining at 3 p.m. local time, small earthquakes were recorded and steady ash emissions were observed. Tuesday night, incandescent blocks could be seen and heard rolling down from the crater, and indication that a new law dome was forming...

The organizers of a petition drive to save the Yasuní nature preserve from oil drilling are claiming they are being harassed by the government. The drive is within its last month and is closing in on its goal of obtaining the 580,000 voter signatures necessary to force a national referendum on the issue. Jorge Espinosa,...

By Nick Miroff An oil pipeline runs through this village to a Chinese rig at the end of the road. At night, when the rig is pumping, the pipeline is too hot to touch, but villagers say that in the morning, it’s a good place to dry laundry. That is its only apparent benefit to...

Severe damage has been reported in all of Ecuador’s coastal provinces due to heavy wave action and high tides. The worst damage has been reported in Manabi, Santa Elena and El Oro Provinces. The coast has experienced a series of large storms since early January. More than two dozen houses and fishing shacks were destroyed...

Fundacion Pachamama, an indigenous non-profit organization opposed to President Rafael Correa plan to drill for oil in Ecuador’s eastern jungles, says it will fight the government order to shut down its operations. In its Wedneday order, the government alleged Pachamama was involved in a disturbance last week against members of foreign diplomatic delegations during protests...