Ecuador volcano sends up towering cloud of ash

Incandescent lava bombs are ejected to the upper slopes of the volcano Tungurahua during an eruption as seen from Guadalupe, Ecuador, late Saturday.Tungurahua is 16,480 feet high and has been active since 1999.
The Tungurahua volcano spews a column of ash during an eruption seen from Huambalo, Ecuador on Saturday. Tungurahua is 16,480 feet high and has been active since 1999
Incandescent lava bombs are ejected to the upper slopes of the volcano Tungurahua during an eruption as seen from Guadalupe, Ecuador, late Saturday.
Incandescent lava bombs are ejected to the upper slopes of the volcano Tungurahua during an eruption as seen from Guadalupe, Ecuador, late Saturday.
Incandescent lava bombs are ejected to the upper slopes of the volcano Tungurahua during an eruption as seen from Guadalupe, Ecuador, late Saturday.
The Tungurahua volcano spews a column of ash during an eruption seen from Huambalo, Ecuador on Saturday.
The Tungurahua volcano spews a column of ash during an eruption seen from Huambalo, Ecuador on Saturday.

By Orange County Register | Orange County Register

March 6, 2016 at 10:49 a.m.

HUAMBALO, Ecuador – Ecuador’s Tungurahua volcano has been putting on a dramatic show, spewing lava from a cauldron-like crater and launching towering clouds of ash and gas.

The country’s Geophysical Institute said Sunday the column of ash reached a maximum height of about 2 miles (3 kilometers) in recent hours, while it hurled blocks of glowing rock about a mile down its slopes.

The 16,480-foot peak is about 85 miles south of Quito, the capital, and close to the tourist center of Banos. It’s been periodically erupting since 1999.