Volcano Erupts In
Ecuador
QUITO - The Tungurahua volcano in central
Ecuador erupted on Tuesday following
frequent emissions recently, spewing ashes
and lava. There are no reports of
casualties.
The volcano, located about 180 km south of
the capital Quito, underwent three emissions
early Tuesday after a massive eruption on
Monday, with ash columns reaching as high as
3,000 meters, said the country's Institute
of Geophysics in a report.
No one was reported killed or injured in the
latest eruption, though intense rumbling
sounds and big explosions terrified people
living in the vicinity, and some were
evacuated temporarily.
"We were ordered to leave home at night
after the eruption on Monday. It has been
nearly 24 hours since then," said Miguel
Freire, one of the inhabitants there.
The authorities have asked the rescue force
to stand by for possible evacuation when
necessary, though researchers said the
volcano in the Andes mountains tended to be
less active in the future.
The eruption would probably lead to heavy
crop loss due to the large clouds of ash
spewed by the volcano, said local official
Jaime Alvarez in the city of Penipe.
The Tungurahua, around 5,000 meters high,
came back to life in 1999 and is regarded as
one of the most active volcanoes in Ecuador.
After six months of relevant calm, it seemed
to have started a new round of eruptive
process since December, researchers said.
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