Volcano spews 10km ash plume in Ecuador

The Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador has spewed a 10km (6 mile) column of ash into the air after a powerful, five-minute explosion.

Ecuador’s geophysics institute said yesterday’s blast occurred at 6.10pm local time and was followed by a second, four-minute explosion and five lesser tremors.

The 16,480-foot volcano, nearly 145km (90m) south of Quito, revived on February 1st, with eruptions that affected a third of Ecuador’s provinces and temporarily closed a regional airport.

Tungurahua has been erupting sporadically since 1999.

In 2006, a toxic cloud killed four people and left two missing.