"Pacific Ring of Fire" Tungurahua Volcano in Ecuador Undergoes Five-Minute Eruption

The Tungurahua Volcano in Ecuador is among eight volcanoes that make up the Pacific Ring of Fire. It has been active since 1999, especially in the past two months, and it erupted on Friday leaving spectators with quite a sight.

Its five-minute violent eruption resulted in a 6-mile ash column onto its northern and northwestern flanks. Tungurahua, meaning 'Throat of Fire,' last erupted on February 1, but the results weren't the same. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an advisory for the ash following its eruption yesterday. The five-minute episode of hot ash and smoke has created fears that Tungurahua will soon experience a serious eruption.

Since 2000, a new lava dome has been growing in Tungurahua's summit crater. Its fairly frequent activity since 1999 has caused some populations around the volcano to evacuate and relocate. The volcano's history dates back 100,000 years, with Tungurahua II forming 14,000 years ago after one of the volcano's main edifices collapsed. The growth of its lava dome in the summit crater is particularly dangerous because that is where all of the eruptions originate.

Tungurahua stands at 16,500 feet, with many villages located in its vicinity. It hasn't experienced a major eruption since 1918, but the lava dome growth could change that in the near future. Especially since in 2006 Tungurahua spewed lava, killing six people and destroying an entire village. Authorities had to evacuate hundreds of families hours before the eruption, but many refused to leave and were injured or killed by falling rocks, lava and hot vapor.

This BBC News article has excellent photos of the Tungurahua's ash plume from yesterday.

Risk managers said that the ash-fall is mild and there is nothing to worry about right now, but research might have to be conducted regarding Tungurahua's next possible eruption because the village's in its vicinity must be warned to avoid a situation like the one in 2006.