Ecuador: Volcano Spews Ash Five Miles Into Air

Ecuador: Volcano Spews Ash Five Miles Into Air

Experts are monitoring the Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador after an eruption at the weekend.

Ash was blown 28,000 feet (five miles) into the air and was reported to be drifting west.

The eruption was the latest in a series of moderate to strong explosions at the volcano after a period of relative calm.

The first was on July 29, then on August 4 and August 19.

Some of the blasts have sent shock waves which have caused the windows and roofs of homes in nearby areas to vibrate.

Tungurahua, which means 'Throat of Fire' in the local Quechua language, has been classified as active since 1999.

It is located in the Andes 87 miles (140km) south of the capital Quito.