Tungurahua volcano erupts in Ecuador

A view of the Tungurahua volcano from Patate, Ecuador.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: CARLOS CAMPANA / AFP

Authorities say 110 families have been evacuated from the vicinity of the Tungurahua volcano, which has been spewing molten rock and ash since the weekend.

Spokeswoman Mercedes Taipe of Ecuador’s Geophysics Institute said a column of vapor and ash up to 2.5 miles high has characterized the moderate-to-strong eruption.

She said Tuesday that a half a dozen villages are being showered in ash. She had no immediate estimate on economic damage to local farming.

The 16,48-foot volcano 84 miles southeast of Quito has been active since 1999.

In July and August of 2006, eruptions of Tungurahua killed at least four people, left two missing and forced the evacuation of thousands.

– Associated Press

via Tungurahua volcano erupts in Ecuador – Framework – Photos and Video – Visual Storytelling from the Los Angeles Times.

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