. Medical and Hospital News .




.
SHAKE AND BLOW
No end to eruptions at Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
by Staff Writers
Quito (AFP) Dec 4, 2011


There was no sign Sunday that eruptions at Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano would cease any time soon, geologists monitoring the activity said.

Experts with the Geophysical Institute (IG) said that since dawn "powerful roars and explosions sounding like cannon blasts" coming from the volcano could be heard in the area, rattling windows and shaking the ground in nearby towns.

Geologists also reported a columns "with a moderate to high load of ash" rising four kilometers (2.5 miles) above the crater. Ash was reported to have spread to a dozen nearby villages.

On Saturday, and again on Sunday, there were two eruptions in which the volcano spewed gas, ash and red-hot rock, with lava pouring some 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) below the crater.

The 5,029-meter (16,500-foot) volcano is located about 135 kilometers (84 miles) south of the capital Quito. The volcano has been active since 1999 but its thermal activity has steadily increased since November 27.

Eruptions at the Tungurahua, which means "Throat of Fire" in the indigenous Quechua language, peaked in 2006, killing six people in a village in Chimborazo province.

The Geophysical Institute on Tuesday recommended people leave high-risk areas around the volcano.

Several communities near Tungurahua, including the tourist town of Banos with 15,000 people, were forced to evacuate during the volcano's violent eruption in 1999. Residents could only return to their homes one year later.

Indonesia closes airport after volcano erupts: official
Jakarta (AFP) Dec 5, 2011 - Indonesia closed a domestic airport in eastern Indonesia Monday after a volcano spewed ash 2,000 metres into the air, an official said.

Mount Gamalama, which forms the entire island of Ternate in North Maluku province, erupted late Sunday and forced an airport in Ternate town at its foot to close Monday, transport ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan said.

"It's a safety measure. The volcanic ash may pose a risk to planes. If there is no more eruption, the airport may be opened tomorrow," he added.

The 1,715-metre (5,630 feet) volcano caused some panic when it erupted, Darno Lamane, a scientist monitoring the peak told AFP.

"It shot ash and dust particles 2,000 metres into the sky. There were no reports of casualties or injuries but people did panic for a while, screaming as they ran out of their homes," he said.

"The situation has calmed and many residents have gone back home. We will continue to monitor the volcanic activity," he added.

Lamane said that the volcano last erupted in 2003, when no fatalities were recorded.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where continental plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The archipelago nation is home to 129 active volcanoes, including 21 on Java.

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest




.
.
Get Our Free Newsletters Via Email
...
Buy Advertising Editorial Enquiries




.

. Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle



SHAKE AND BLOW
Ecuador volcano spews fiery rocks, warnings issued
Juive Grande, Ecuador (AFP) Nov 29, 2011
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano spewed red-hot rock and ash Tuesday as officials upgraded their eruption warning level to orange and some at-risk communities began evacuations. The 5,029-meter (16,500-foot) volcano in the country's central Andes, about 135 kilometers (84 miles) south of the capital Quito, has been active since 1999 but its thermal activity has steadily increased since Sunday, s ... read more


SHAKE AND BLOW
Web helps Bangkok's flood-hit pets find relief

Workers at Japan nuclear plant recall tsunami desperation

Swiss Re estimates Thai floods cost at $600 mn

Fresh radioactive runoff at Japan plant

SHAKE AND BLOW
Authorities Gauge Impact of Europe's Galileo Navigation Satellite System

Russia's Glonass-M satellite put into orbit

ITT Exelis and Chronos develop offerings for the Interference, Detection and Mitigation market

GMV Supports Successful Launch of Europe's Galileo

SHAKE AND BLOW
Lighting the way to understanding the brain

Making Collective Wisdom Wiser

Scientists Uncover New Role for Gene in Maintaining Steady Weight

Malaysia tribes struggle with modern problems

SHAKE AND BLOW
Panda pair jet-lagged after flight to Britain

Panda-mania as furry friends arrive in Britain

Poachers killed 23 rhinos in Zimbabwe this year: report

New thinking required on wildlife disease

SHAKE AND BLOW
African leaders must boost AIDS programmes: Bush

Human rights key in combating AIDS among gay men: WHO

Stinky frogs are a treasure trove of antibiotic substances

Philippines struggles with AIDS

SHAKE AND BLOW
Fear of fire stalks Hong Kong's cubicle dwellers

China web users criticise new state TV boss

China braces for social unrest as economy slows

China parades Tibetans accused of separatism: photos

SHAKE AND BLOW
Seychelles invites China to set up anti-piracy base

Britain detains seven suspected pirates in Seychelles

China to launch Mekong patrols next month: report

EU short on anti-piracy ships due to budget cuts

SHAKE AND BLOW
Walker's World: A China bust looms

China non-manufacturing sector contracts

East Asian economies face eurozone headwinds: ADB

Outside View: Many adults quit labor force


.

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2012 - Space Media Network. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement