Tungurahua

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This article is about the Tungurahua volcano. For the Tungurahua province, see Tungurahua Province.
Tungurahua

Tungurahua (Quichua tunguri (throat), rahua (fire): "Throat of Fire") is an active stratovolcano in Ecuador. It is situated in the Central Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Location

Tungurahua (5,023 m) is located in the Cordillera Central of the Andes of central Ecuador, 140 km (87 miles) south of the capital Quito. Nearby notable mountains are the Chimborazo (6,267 m) and El Altar (5,319 m). It rises above the small thermal springs city Baños which is located at its foot five kilometers to the north. Tungurahua is part of the Sangay National Park.

Glacier

After the increase in volcanic activity in 1999, the former summit glacier melted away.

Volcanism

View of the Ash Plume from the lower Refugio (2003)

Among the main eruptions of Tungurahua, those of 1918 and 1944 have been well documented. In 1999, after a long period of rest, the volcano started an eruptive process that continues to this day.

In August 2003, it ejected a plume of ash and smoke 3 km (2 miles) into the air. In May 2006, it again spewed columns of gas and ash-laden vapor two miles into the sky.

2006 eruption

On July 14, 2006, Tungurahua started its most violent eruption since 1999. At around 6:00pm, the volcano spewed a 15 km column of ashes, vapor and rocks. The column drifted towards the Pacific Ocean and was clearly visible on satellite photos.

False-color satellite image of Tungurahura (center right, with plume of ash emanating from it) and its neighbor Chimborazo (center left).

During the night and morning of July 15 constant tremors, explosions, ash emissions and rocks falls, put the population in Pelileo, Baños, Penipe, and other counties of the Provinces of Chimborazo and Tungurahua on alert. It is reported that lava flows damaged the road between Baños and Penipe. The ashes destroyed fields and calcined animals. As of July 17, it was reported that for the first time since 1999, pyroclastic flows had occurred, reaching the evacuated hamlet of Cusua and the Las Juntas bridge.

The activity continued slightly muted for one month, until August 16. On the morning of that day, at around 8:25 am, a huge explosion signaled the start of what appears to be the main event of this eruptive episode. An 8 km lava column arose from the crater. The volcano also spewed enormous quantities of hot rocks and ashes. Overnight, the whole province of Tungurahua, including Ambato, Pelileo, Baños and the province of Chimborazo including Riobamba and Penipe were covered with rocks and ashes. Some 200 sq. km (80 sq. miles) of crops have been destroyed.

Many people in the surrounding towns fled. Baños was evacuated in early morning, but some people have returned as of the afternoon of the 17th. Hamlets like Bilbao, Chilibú, Choglontuz and Juive Grande, located directly in the path of the lava, were evacuated on time, but their buildings have been destroyed. Approximately 3,200 people have been thus displaced.

At least five persons died, reduced to ash in the town of Palitahua. Thirteen people were reported injured and more than forty missing. It has also been reported that at least three hundred people are still trapped on the flanks of the volcano. It is reported that in the hamlet of Chontapamba at least twelve people are trapped. The towns of Puela and Cotalo have been damaged by ashes and incandescent rocks. Potable water supplies were presumed contaminated in the affected areas.

In the morning of the 17th, vehicle transit was officially suspended in Ambato, and the population was requested to remain indoors. The Agoyan hydroelectric plant has stopped working. The Chambo River is blocked, and its waters have collected behind an enormous, temporary dam. The Ecuadorian Army is studying how to breach the dam, so as to avoid a catastrophic release of water.

In the afternoon of August 17, the President of the Republic of Ecuador, Dr. Alfredo Palacio, declared the Provinces of Chimborazo and Tungurahua disaster zones.

The ash has also reached the provinces of Guayas, Manabí, Bolívar, and Los Ríos. The airports of Latacunga, Riobamba and Guayaquil have stopped operations because of the danger posed by the ash.

Etymology

After one theory the name Tungurahua is a combination of the Quichua tunguri (throat) and rahua (fire) meaning "Throat of Fire". Tungurahua is also known as "The Black Giant" and, in local indigenous mythology it is referred to as Mama Tungurahua ("Mother Tungurahua").

First ascent

The first documented ascent is atributed to Alphons Stübel, Wilhelm Reiss, Eusebio Rodriguez and José Reyes in 1873.

Sources and notes

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