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Report on Tungurahua (Ecuador) — 6 June-12 June 2007


Tungurahua

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 6 June-12 June 2007
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2007. Report on Tungurahua (Ecuador) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 6 June-12 June 2007. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (6 June-12 June 2007)

Tungurahua

Ecuador

1.467°S, 78.442°W; summit elev. 5023 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


During 5-9 June, IG reported that minor ash plumes from Tungurahua rose to altitudes of no more than 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. Ashfall was reported from areas WSW and NW on 6 June and roaring noises were reported during 5-6 and 9-10 June. Lahars transporting stones and wood were observed on the W flank in the Bilbao drainage on 6 June. Later that day, lahars were noted on the N flank in the Vazcún drainage. On 7 June, several mudflows affected W and NW drainages and in the Pampas sector, covered a highway with debris 1 m thick. On 8 June, multiple lahars again traveled in W and NW drainages. Lahars carried blocks 20-30 cm in diameter and interrupted traffic in the Pampas sector. Mudflows were abundant in Pama on 9 June.

Geological Summary. Tungurahua, a steep-sided andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano that towers more than 3 km above its northern base, is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes. Three major edifices have been sequentially constructed since the mid-Pleistocene over a basement of metamorphic rocks. Tungurahua II was built within the past 14,000 years following the collapse of the initial edifice. Tungurahua II collapsed about 3,000 years ago and produced a large debris-avalanche deposit to the west. The modern glacier-capped stratovolcano (Tungurahua III) was constructed within the landslide scarp. Historical eruptions have all originated from the summit crater, accompanied by strong explosions and sometimes by pyroclastic flows and lava flows that reached populated areas at the volcano's base. Prior to a long-term eruption beginning in 1999 that caused the temporary evacuation of the city of Baños at the foot of the volcano, the last major eruption had occurred from 1916 to 1918, although minor activity continued until 1925.

Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)