The Ecuadorian government raised the warning of active volcanoes

The Ecuadorian government on December 16 raised the alert level from 'yellow' to 'orange' in the vicinity of the Tungurahua volcano after volcanic eruption increased in recent days.

In a statement, the National Disaster Risk Management Authority of Ecuador (SNGR) said the area was put on alert in the provinces of Tungurahua and Chimborazo.

Tungurahua volcano in an eruption

The decision was made after December 12, volcanic eruptions and many explosions appeared. On December 16, two big explosions occurred, creating a column of dust over 7km that could be observed from afar. Dust ash has covered some residential areas.

According to the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute, in the past 24 hours the agency has recorded 103 small aftershocks related to the movement of lava in volcanoes.

Located on an altitude of more than 5,000m and 135km from the capital Quito, south of the country, Tungurahua volcano 'woke up' in 1999 and since then eruptions have been interspersed with intermittent volcanic periods ' peace Vacation".

Tungurahua was most active in July 2006. At that time, it created a column of dust and smoke as high as 15km, clearly seen in satellite images.

That eruption killed six people due to leaching of lava, and forced thousands of people to evacuate, causing heavy losses in agricultural production.