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Ecuadorian Volcano Explodes

Thousands flee as Andean 'throat of fire' blasts ash

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 7, 2008 3:43 AM CST

(Newser) – The massive Tungurahua volcano in the Ecuadoran Andes erupted in smoke and fire yesterday, forcing thousands of villagers to flee. Eleven families who refused to leave the area were removed by force as the volcano shot columns of ash six miles into the air, AP reports. Tungurahua—meaning "throat of fire" in the Quechua language—buried entire villages in a 2006 eruption.

Thousands of acres of farmland near the base of the volcano 95 miles southeast of Quito have already been buried in ash  A state of emergency has been declared in the surrounding provinces and Ecuador's army has moved in to prevent looting. The nearby tourist town of Banos is not thought to be in imminent danger, but geophysicists think Tungurahua could just be getting started. "The volcano has entered a new explosive eruption cycle, which does not seem to be slowing down," an expert said.

The Tungurahua volcano erupts near Cotalo village in Ecuador's Tungurahua province, early Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
The Tungurahua volcano erupts near Cotalo village in Ecuador's Tungurahua province, early Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Ecuador's Geophysics Institute, the Tungurahua volcano, located about 135 kilometers (80 miles) southeast of Quito, erupts in the late hours of Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. Volcanologists correctly predicted today's massive eruptions that forced thousands to flee. (AP Photo/Ecuador's Geophysics Insitute)
In this photo released by Ecuador's Geophysics Institute, the Tungurahua volcano, located about 135 kilometers (80 miles) southeast of Quito, erupts in the late hours of Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. Volcanologists...   (Associated Press)
The Tungurahua volcano is hidden by its own vapor and ashes near Cotalo village after erupting over night in Ecuador's Tungurahua province, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008.  (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
The Tungurahua volcano is hidden by its own vapor and ashes near Cotalo village after erupting over night in Ecuador's Tungurahua province, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)   (Associated Press)
Soldiers wear masks to protect them from volcano ashes as they wait for instructions in Cotalo village near the Tungurahua volcano which erupted overnight in Ecuador, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008.  (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Soldiers wear masks to protect them from volcano ashes as they wait for instructions in Cotalo village near the Tungurahua volcano which erupted overnight in Ecuador, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Dolores...   (Associated Press)
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