During 24-30 May, visual observations of Tungurahua were limited due to heavy cloud cover. On 23 May, an ash plume reported by a pilot reached an altitude of 6.4 km (21,000 ft) a.s.l. A faint plume was visible on satellite imagery that drifted WSW. Slight ashfall was reported to the SW in Puela on 24 May, and the observatory reported a decrease in gas and ash emissions. On 25 May a significant meteorological advisory (SIGMET) indicated an ash plume to an altitude of 5 km (16,500 ft) a.s.l. On 27 and 30 May, the VAAC reported that the Instituto Geofísico observed ash plumes at altitudes of 7.9 km (26,000 ft) a.s.l. and 5 km (16,500 ft) a.s.l., respectively.

Geological Summary. Tungurahua, a steep-sided andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano that towers more than 3 km above its northern base, is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes. Three major edifices have been sequentially constructed since the mid-Pleistocene over a basement of metamorphic rocks. Tungurahua II was built within the past 14,000 years following the collapse of the initial edifice. Tungurahua II collapsed about 3,000 years ago and produced a large debris-avalanche deposit to the west. The modern glacier-capped stratovolcano (Tungurahua III) was constructed within the landslide scarp. Historical eruptions have all originated from the summit crater, accompanied by strong explosions and sometimes by pyroclastic flows and lava flows that reached populated areas at the volcano's base. Prior to a long-term eruption beginning in 1999 that caused the temporary evacuation of the city of Baños at the foot of the volcano, the last major eruption had occurred from 1916 to 1918, although minor activity continued until 1925.

Sources: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Reuters