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Report on Tungurahua (Ecuador) — 16 October-22 October 2013


Tungurahua

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 16 October-22 October 2013
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2013. Report on Tungurahua (Ecuador) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 16 October-22 October 2013. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (16 October-22 October 2013)

Tungurahua

Ecuador

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


IG reported that after a 3-month lull in activity at Tungurahua, a new eruption that began on 6 October was characterized by increased seismicity, Strombolian activity that ejected incandescent blocks, and ash plumes that produced ashfall in nearby areas. Seismicity peaked on 11 October and high-level ash plumes again produced ashfall in nearby towns. The number of explosions increased on 14 October and two small pyroclastic flows traveled a few hundred meters the next day.

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)