Tungurahua is an active stratovolcano located in the Cordillera Central of Ecuador. The volcano gives name to the province of Tungurahua. Volcanic activity restarted in 1999 and is ongoing as of 2008 with a major eruption on August 16 2006.

In 1999, after a long period of rest, the volcano started an eruptive process that continues to this day (as of January 2008). After the first eruptions in October 1999 which produced a major ash out-fall and led to the temporary evacuation of more than 25,000 inhabitants of Baños and its surroundings (El Comercio 1999), the activity continued on a medium level until in May 2006 the activity increased dramatically culminating in violent eruptions on July 14 and August 16. The August 16 eruption has been the most violent since the beginning of activity in 1999, accompanied by a 10km high ash cloud which later spread over an area of 740 by 180 km (IG-EPN 2006, ) and pyroclastic flows resulting in 7 deaths and destroying several hamlets and roads on the western and northwestern slopes of Tungurahua (El Comercio 2006). The 7 people that died was a family of five and two scientists.

[Source: Wikipedia]

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