Tungurahua volcano(Ecuador): constant ash emission, explosions and new pyroclastic flows [1]

Source: Volcano Discovery [2] - 12/19/12, By T

Tungurahua continued to produce a sustained ash column rising 2-3 km and intermittent stronger explosions. Several pyroclastic flows occurred yesterday (at 05:00 am, 07:47 and 15:30 local time), the one at 07:47 reaching a length of up to 4 km distance near La Hacienda. The deposits of the flows were reported seen in the gorge and reaching the plain in the area between the Mandur and La Hacienda.

The flow reached ​​grassland and burned the surrounding vegetation. THe other flows were confined to the upper slope of the volcano.

Throughout the day, tremor and explosion signals were visible on the seismic recordings. More than 100 explosions of small to moderate size occurred, and accompanied by strong gunshot noises that rattled windows.

The constantly raising ash column was reaching 2-3 km height and drifting to the northwest in the morning and later to the southwest and west, and later northeast. Ash fall occurred in Rio Verde, Banos, Runtún, Juive, Pondoa and El Manzano.

Based on first analyses of samples of the ash deposit, IGEPN confirms that new magma has risen to the crater and is being erupted since the vent-clearing explosion on 14 Dec. The ash deposit is mostly 1 to 2 mm thick on average, gray and light cream in color and contains plagioclase crystals.

• All news about: Tungurahua volcano [4]
• Information about: Tungurahua volcano [5]

• Evaluación de la actividad eruptiva del volcán Tungurahua [6] (IG)