Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano shot lava one kilometer above its crater overnight and blasted hot rock and gas almost 3 kilometers down its flank, volcano monitors said Tuesday. According to the Associated Press (AP), regional director for the Ecuadorian government's emergency agency Lourdes Mayorga said officials have prepared shelters and are working to evacuate any people in danger. Ecuador's National Geophysics Institute said the volcano blasted lava well above its crater during the overnight hours and sent out a plume of ash and gas about 1.5 kilometers high. The eruption began last week in central Ecuador. Plumes on Sunday rose as high as 5 kilometers above the 5,023-meter crater.
