Tungurahua

I've mentioned volcanoes. But I've only just discovered that Ecuador has 26 volcanoes and that only a few are extinct. Behind the beautiful waterfall outside our bedroom window is the active volcano, Tingurahua. Geez.

It erupted in October, 1999 producing a major ashfall that sent more than 25,000 people temporarily packing. There was medium seismic activity until July and August 2006 when there was a violent eruption that caused a 10 kilometre high ash plume spreading ash over hundreds of kilometers. Lava flows killed more than five people and and destroyed a number of villages and roads.

Then there were more eruptions and evacuations in December 2010 and 2012 and July 2013. A student at our school in Cuenca said that the last time he was here, people were sweeping ash from the streets.





October, 1999





A deep gorge with lava walls.





Much of the Andes are volcanic.




In 2007, the government moved all of the inhabitants of a village in the path of potential lava flows to these new homes.




One of the many waterfalls. A lot of hydroelectric power comes from these falls.





Cable car.





Old looking cable car mechanism.





You would have reached this place by the footbridge on the left.





One of our tour bus members bungee jumping off a bridge.










Bob on a suspension bridge.





Elaborate stairways down.






The weather is unpredictable here now. If the sky is clear tomorrow, we're heading way up to catch a good view of the busy fiery fellow.

Location:Banos,Ecuador