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.
Eruption of Tungurahua volcano on 23 Feb, 2012 at around 18h00 local time (photo courtesy: G. Viracucha - IGEPN)
From about midnight yesterday, 23 February, a decrease in several parameters of the activity of Tungurahua volcano is reported by Ecuador's Instituto Geofísico who closely monitor the volcano. ...more
Seismic tremor has decreased, no noises were reported nor new ash fall, suggesting that no new eruptions have taken place, although visible observations are difficult due to frequent cloud cover. Whether this is only a short break in activity or an end of the current eruptive phase is unknown. The last notable eruption was recorded last night at about 18h00 local time, and consisted in a strong strombolian-to-vulcanian type ash explosion ejecting incandescent bombs to up to 500 m height above the crater and to about the same lateral distance in all sides, showering the upper flanks with glowing ejecta, especially the upper northwestern and western flanks. [less]
Activity at Tungurahua continues with increased level of seismic activity. Episodes of constant harmonic tremor were detected on 16 and 22 February. Steam and ash emissions were noted on 17-18 and 21 February rising to6 km (19, 500 ft) altitude a.s.l. Glow from the crater is visible at night.
IG reported an explosion of Tungurahua on 4 February with an explosion that produced roaring heard 14 km NW in Palitahua and Guadalupe. On 4 February an ash plume rose to altitudes of 7-8 km above the crater and drifted NE; lapilli fall was reported in Baños (9 km N), Pillate (7 km W), and Juive (7 km NNW). IG staff aboard a commercial flight on 4 February observed an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 1 km above the crater and drifted W. Ashfall and roaring noises were reported in Baños, Pillate, Juive, Pondoa (8 km N), Pelileo ( about 7 km NW), Guadalupe, Cevallos (23 km NW), and Patate (NW). ...more
A pyroclastic flow descended into the Achupashal drainage (NW). At night incandescent blocks ejected by an explosion traveled 1 km down the flanks. On 5 February clouds prevented views of the volcano, though loud "cannon shots" were heard in Baños and Juive, and ashfall was reported in Manzano (8 km SW). (USGS / GVP weekly activity update) [less]
Tungurahua volcano (Ecuador) produced a sudden strong ash explosion yesterday (4 Feb 2012) morning at 05:50 local time, following an increase in seismic activity recorded since around 04:30. The eruption lasted about 5 minutes and produced a plume rising to about 7-8 km altitude and drifting NE and later SE. Ash fall occurred in Baños, Juive, Runtún, Pillate, San Juan and Cotaló. ...more
More ash eruptions have occurred over the following day and 3 small pyroclastic flows were reported. Authorities have raised the alert level to orange and opened emergency shelters for residents of the communities of Cusúa, Bilbao und Penipe located in the most vulnerable areas on the N and W flanks of the volcano. [less]
IG reported a new episode of activity and increased seismicity from Tungurahua during 11-17 January. On 12 January ashfall was reported in Manzano (8 km SW), Cahuají (8 km SW), and Choglontus (13 km WSW). ...more
A lahar descended the Achupashal drainage, carrying blocks up to 1 m in diameter, and caused the road to Baños (9 km N) to be closed. Cloud cover prevented observations of the crater. On 13 January ash-and-gas emissions were observed, and ash plumes rose as high as 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. Ash-fall was reported in Palitahua (6 km SSW) and roaring noises were heard in Cusúa (8 km NW) and Manzano. On 14 January ash emissions rose 500 m above the crater and drifted WSW; ashfall was reported in Choglontus, Palitahua, and Manzano. Clouds obscured views on 15 January; however ashfall was reported in Palitahua and Manzano. Lahars descended drainages in Juive (NW) and Pondoa (N), carrying blocks 10-20 cm in diameter. [less]
IG reported a decrease in activity from Tungurahua during 4-10 January. ...more
On 4 January steam plumes rose as high as 500 m above the crater and drifted W. Additional steam plumes observed on 8 January also drifted W. (USGS / Smithsonian Weekly Activity report 3-10 Jan 2012) [less]
