Two large eruptions occurred at Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador yesterday, 6th February 2008, separated by 4 hours and 15 minutes. Ash emissions reached 47,000 ft altitude south of the volcano, and 27,000 ft altitude 125 nautical miles NW of the volcano. The eruptions were preceded by strong volcanic tremor at an intensity similar to that experienced in 2006. The Geophysical Institute in Ecuador received numerous phone calls by residents who heard very loud noises at the volcano. The eruption was accompanied by pyroclastic flows and 3 cm diameter pumice fell in surrounding areas. Due to cloud cover there were no visual observations of the eruption column, but satellite images recorded ash to a height of 10 km above the volcano.
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