current active volcanoes; Tungurahua, Ecuador

Tungurahua, Ecuador



Night view of one of many explosive events at Tungurahua Volcano, Ecuador, that occurred during the continuous extrusion of lava in the summit crater in November and December. In this time-lapse photograph, glowing lava fragments can be seen blasting into the air and falling onto the upper flanks of the volcano. Photo Credit: Alcinoe Calahorrano on November 2, 1999

Characteristics:
.Tungurahua is an active stratovolcano also known as the "The Black Giant."
.It is a steep-sided andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano that towers more than 3 km above its northern base, is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes.
.They have been accompanied by strong explosions and sometimes by pyroclastic flows and lava flows that reached populated areas at the volcano's base.
.Tungurahua causes many tremors in the nearby city of Banos
.Tungurahua's lava is mostly composed of basalts.




Whats happening currently:
.Volcanic tremor and long-period earthquakes; On 24 February at 0310, tremor amplitude increased
.Incandescent material was ejected 800 m above the summit and fell on the flanks about 1 km below the summit.
.On 25 February, 12 moderate to large explosions occurred according to seismic interpretation
.On 26 February, a plume with no ash content rose to 6 km ;Later that day, two explosions produced ash plumes that 7 km ;
.On 27 February, incandescent material was ejected above the summit and fell on the flanks about 500 m down the flanks.
.Noises produced by material rolling down the flanks and "cannon shots" were heard during 25-27 February.


Credits: http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/current_volcs/tungurahua/tung.html