Volcanic eruption column of 10km high

A volcanic eruption in Ecuador erupts into thick ash dust columns about 10km high.

Tungurahua volcano of Ecuador erupted from 4:00 pm on April 4 (local time).In the photo are columns of dust and smoke rising from the crater.(Photo: Reuters)

According to experts at the Ecuadorian Institute of Physics, the Tungurahua volcano erupted after an explosion lasting about 4 minutes and 5 small seismic waves.(Photo: Reuters)

From the crater, masses of thick ash fly up in the air with a height of about 10km, along with many blocks of rock scattered around.(Photo: AFP)

Tunguarahua has a height of over 5km, located about 150km south of Quito.This is one of eight volcanoes operating in Ecuador, a country within the Pacific fire belt.(Photo: AP)

The latest volcanic eruption is on February 1.Volcanic activity affects one-third of the provinces in Ecuador and leaves an airport in the region temporarily closed.(Photo: AP)

Volcanic eruptions of Tunguarahua have occurred infrequently since 1999. In 2006, toxic dust clouds caused 4 deaths and two missing.(Photo: AFP)