Tungurahua is one of South America's most active volcanoes. Since 2000, a new lava dome has been growing in its summit crater. Tungurahua's activity has been characterized by frequent powerful ash explosions, producing ash plumes of several kilometers height as well as dangerous pyroclastic flows. Part of the population around its base has been evacuated.
Current seismic recording at Tungurahua (RETU station, IGPEN)
The volcano has calmed down a bit compared to the previous week, which is also apparent on recent seismograms. No recent explosions or ash falls were reported.
IGPEN reports ongoing strombolian activity with lava ejected to 200 m above the crater, continuing emissions of steam and ash and occasional strong explosions with roaring sounds that produce ash columns up to 3 km high. Ashfall was reported overnight 12-13 May in the sector of Manzano.
Current seismic recording at Tungurahua (RETU station, IGPEN)
Seismic and surface activity remain moderate with ash emissions and intermittent strong strombolian to vulcanian explosions which sometimes are accompanied by ground vibration and strong shock waves that rattle windows and doors in nearby areas. ...plus
An explosion on Friday produced and ash plume rising up to 30,000 ft (9 km) elevation. Ash falls have been occurring in areas of Santa Fe de Galán, Mocha, Sabañag, Tisaleo and Quero. [moins]
SO2 plume from Tungurahua volcano yesterday (NOAA)
A gradual increase in eruptive activity is evident. Near continuous ash and steam emissions are interrupted by cannon-like explosions that produce ash plumes rising up to 2-3 km height and produce light ash falls in the areas around the volcano. At night, strombolian activity can be seen from the summit. ...plus
A significant SO2 plume can be seen on satellite data drifting to the NW. [moins]
Eruptive activity has not changed much. The volcano observatory reported ongoing steam and ash emissions producing a plume oscillating between 1.5-3 km height above the crater and drifting into westerly directions, and occasional small to moderate explosions. Light ash fall occurred in Cevallos and Mocha. Incandescence was visible at the summit.
This morning's seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Activity remains at moderate levels. Steam andash emissions produce plumes rising about 2 km from the crater, and occasional stronger explosions with cannon-shot noises can be heard (rarely seen) ejecting blocks that fall onto the outer upper slopes and tumble downhill. ...plus
Continuous volcanic tremor can be seen on the seismic recordings. [moins]
Ash emissions and explosions of moderate size have continued and generated a plume averaging 1-2 km in height above the crater. During the night, incandescence is visible at the summit. Some of the stronger explosions are accompanied by cannon-shot noises.
Eruptive activity remains strong with ash emissions interrupted by strong vulcanian-type explosions. An explosion at 18h30 local time the day before yesterday produced an ash plume rising 5 km above the crater, and ejected incandescent blocks to 400 m distance from the crater. ...plus
Strong noises were heard from Pondoa. Yesterday morning, the volcano was mostly hidden in clouds, but generated dark gray ash emissions drifting ESE. Several explosions occurred that rattled windows and caused vibrations of the ground. Ash falls were reported in the areas of El Manzano, Cahuají, Puela, Penipe and Riobamba. [moins]
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Following the initial explosions and ash emissions on Saturday, a significant new eruptive phase has started at the volcano. ...plus
From 05h30 yesterday morning (local time), an explosion created a steam-ash column rising 4 km initially, then decreased and remained more or less sustained at 2.5 km height above the crater for 30 minutes. The plume drifted W and SW to more than 100 km and caused light ash falls in areas near and around the volcano, such as Banos, Chacauco, Bilbao, Cusúa, Juive Grande, Pondoa and Pillate. Yesterday afternoon, several explosions occured, the largest of which at 14h20 (local time) produced shock waves and a loud roar, ejected large blocks and produced an eruption column rising 3.5 km above the crater. [moins]
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IGPEN)
After a brief pause of just over a month, new eruptive activity has started in the form of gas and ash emissions, accompanied by many small earthquakes and weak tremor pulses. The activity caused light ash fall in areas near the volcano, in particular Juive Grande. ...plus
IGPEN scientists sampled some of the ash, which is dark in color, which in turn suggests that it is from juvenile (fresh) magma that has started to rise and arrive at the summit and not the result of phreatic activity (pulverizing older rock). A new stronger eruptive phase in the coming days or weeks is therefore likely. [moins]
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Yesterday's seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Seismic activity continues to increase, mainly dominated by signals corresponding to internal fluid movements. A small earthquake of magnitude 2.5 occurred in the evening of 31 Mar NW of the volcano and was felt in the sectors of Cusúa, Baños, Pondoa and Juive.
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Yesterday's seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Seismic activity, including volcanic-tectonic and long period earthquakes have increased in number and magnitudes during the past 2 days, suggesting new magma might have started to rise within the volcano and could herald a new phase of explosive activity soon. ...plus
As of yesterday (IG's latest report), no particular surface activity (such as explosions, ash venting) has been observed. [moins]
Activity has remained relatively low. IG reported small explosions seen during the night 19-20 March and emissions of steam and minor ash amounts rising up to about 1 km.
IG reported that during 13-17 March seismicity at Tungurahua was high. On 13 March ash plumes rose 1-3 km above the crater, and generated ashfall in Choglontús (SW) and Puela (8 km SW). The next day nearly continuous emissions of gas and ash rose 500 m. Explosions produced ash plumes that rose 3 km; ash fell between the Mapayacu (SW) and Rea drainages, and in Choglontús, Cahuají (8 km SW), and El Manzano (8 km SW). Blocks rolled 500 m down the flanks. ...plus
On 15 March ash plumes drifted SE and W. An explosion generated an ash plume that rose 4 km and drifted E. A pyroclastic flow occurred near the crater. Explosions on 16 March generated ash plumes; ashfall was reported in Puela, Pillate (8 km W), and Ambato (31 km NW). On 17 March explosions again produced ash plumes that rose 4 km. Lava fountains rose 200-300 m above the crater and incandescent material fell on the flanks. A pyroclastic flow descended the upper parts of the Mandur (NW) drainage. Ashfall was reported in El Manzano, Palictagua and Choglontús. [moins]
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
L'activité éruptive continu de s'intensifier progressivement au Tunguahua. L'IGEPN indique que, le soir du 16 mars, peu avant 18h00 (heure locale) l'édifice a produit un important panache, haut de 4000m et très chargé en cendres. ...plus
Cette phase a produit, outre d'importantes projections de blocs et bombes, un écoulement pyroclastique dans la ravine Mandur (flanc nord-ouest, dans l'axe de la rivière Patate). Le panache, emporté vers le sud-ouest, a été suivi de chutes de cendres sur toutes les localités de cette zone (Manzano, Palictagua, Choglontus...). Source: activolcans.info / IG [moins]
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Corresponding tremor signal (RETU station, IG)
The volcano alternates between strong activity with ash emissions and explosions and pauses. The corresponding seismic signal shows this with phases of frequent earthquakes and explosion signals merging into strong eruption tremor followed by rather quiet periods.
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (retu station, IG)
Activity remains high, but has become more discontinuous. In its report from yesterday evening, IG reports ash falls and an explosion with an eruption column reaching 4 km yesterday around 14:24. ...plus
During the night 14-15 March, rumblings of varied intensity were heard, and weak incandescence at the crater could be seen as well as some glowing ejecta. Ash fall occurred on in the sector Choglontús in the afternoon of 14 March. [moins]
Yesterday, IG the volcano showed an almost continuous emission of gas and various amounts of ash whose average height was 500 m. Individual explosions, sometimes accompanied by loud cannon-shot noises, produced eruption columns rising up to 3 km, mainly yesterday afternoon. ...plus
At night, explosions increased again and incandescent blocks were seen ejected to up to 500 m below the crater rim. [moins]
This morning's seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Seismic activity has decreased a bit today. ...plus
In its yesterday's report, IG mentions that glow was visible at the summit where small to medium explosions occurred frequently, and generated an eruption column rising about 1 km. Ash fall occurred over the areas of Choglontus, Palitahua and Mapayacu. [moins]
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Strombolian activity at moderate intensity continues, with incandescent lava bombs falling onto the outer slopes and rolling down. A strong SO2 plume is drifting southwest from the volcano and minor ash fall occurred in the areas of El Manzano, Choglontús and Pillate.
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
IG reports violent strombolian activity with incandescent blocks being thrown up to 500 m distance onto the upper outer slopes of the crater. ...plus
Ashfall was reported from the sectors of El Manzano and Choglontus. A strong steam, gas and ash plume, visible on NOAA satellite data, is drifting westwards. [moins]
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Activity continues to increase gradually. When the volcano is not hidden in clouds, explosions with incandescent material landing on the upper slopes could be seen, and a low ash plume is rising from the volcano. ...plus
The seismic signal shows near continuous tremor. [moins]
Eruptive activity consists in a constant steam and ash column rising about 1500 m above the crater and drifting SW. Individual explosions are sometimes heard. Seismicity continues to show an increasing trend.
Activity is on the increase, both internally (seismic) and at the surface. Constant ash emissions generate a plume rising on average 500 m, interrupted by stronger explosions that produced plumes up to 1.5 km high, drifting mostly to the west. ...plus
A hot spot at the summit is visible on satellite data, indicating the fresh magma that is arriving there. [moins]
The volcano has been producing continuous low-level ash emissions drifting W-NW, interrupted by explosions that generated cannon-shot sounds and rumblings of various intensity. ...plus
Incandescent blocks were seen rolling down the upper flank for about 300 m, and light ash fall was reported from the areas of Penipe and El Manzano. Visual observations were mostly impossible due to cloud cover. The seismic recording shows frequent long-period signals, emission tremor and some explosion signatures. [moins]
Weak explosions and ash emissions have continued, accompanied by ongoing elevated seismic activity. Light gray ash fall has affected areas SW of the volcano.
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
The volcano has resumed eruptive activity after a brief pause of some weeks. Sign of a new magma intrusion, tremor and earthquakes have increased again and the volcano has started to erupt black ash, presumably from juvenile (fresh) magma, which has deposited on the lower slopes of the volcano.
