Tungurahua Volcano Forcing Evacuations in Ecuador

Update: July 18, 2006:
Ecuador volcano rains molten rock (tvnz.co.nz); 'Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano spewed gas and ash for the fourth day on Monday as droves of evacuees returned home to salvage what little was left from their ash-covered villages."

Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano (People's Daily Online): Photos and text describing Tungurahua as it "spewed ash, gases and molten rocks on Friday, forcing authorities to evacuate four nearby villages after the crater registered its most volatile activity since a 1999 eruption."

Located in the southern stretch of Volcano Alley, Tungurahua is a beautifully formed volcano with a summit covered with permanent snow. Reaching a height of 5016m (16,450ft), it towers over the popular town of Baños and although it had been quiet for years, recent activity marks it as one of the most active in Ecuador.

Read more about Andes Region of Ecuaodr where Volcano Alley is located.

See In pictures: Ecuador volcano .