Tungurahua is a stratovolcano located in Ecuador, standing at an elevation of 5,023 meters. Situated within a subduction zone and continental crust setting greater than 25 kilometers thick, the volcano has a recorded history of 31 confirmed eruptions spanning thousands of years. Official records document activity ranging from prehistoric events identified through isotopic methods to modern historical observations.
Overview of Recorded Eruptions
The official record for Tungurahua contains 31 confirmed eruptions. The earliest recorded eruption in the dataset dates back to 7750 BCE. Across the collection of confirmed eruptions, the largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) reaches 5.0. Twenty-four of the recorded eruptions include VEI observations.
The historical record shows intermittent activity distributed across various centuries, ranging from single recorded events in certain centuries to multiple eruptions in others:
- 78th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 5th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 4th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 3rd century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 1st century BCE: 2 confirmed eruptions
- 11th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 1st century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 2nd century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 5th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 6th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 8th century CE: 2 confirmed eruptions
- 11th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 13th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 14th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 16th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 17th century CE: 2 confirmed eruptions
- 18th century CE: 2 confirmed eruptions
- 19th century CE: 3 confirmed eruptions
- 20th century CE: 2 confirmed eruptions
- 21st century CE: 5 confirmed eruptions
Selected Historical Eruptions
The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program records provide detailed entries for individual eruptions using various evidence methods, such as uncalibrated and calibrated carbon-14 isotopic dating as well as reported direct observations:
- 7750 BCE (Eruption Number 11609): An early confirmed eruption assessed via uncalibrated 14C isotopic evidence, with a VEI of 4.0 and an uncertain start year modifier.
- 1010 BCE (Eruption Number 11610): A larger explosive event rated at VEI 5.0, determined through uncalibrated 14C isotopic evidence with a start year uncertainty of 100 years.
- 0350 CE (Eruption Number 11617): A confirmed eruption with a VEI of 3.0, noted with an uncertain start year modifier.
- 1350 CE (Eruption Number 11624): A confirmed eruption evaluated via calibrated 14C isotopic evidence with a start year uncertainty of 50 years and a VEI of 3.0.
- 2012–2016 (Eruption Number 22215): A confirmed eruption at the summit crater beginning on December 14, 2012, with a VEI of 3.0, which concluded on March 16, 2016.
Profile data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program lists the last known eruption year for Tungurahua as 2016, with the latest structured confirmed eruption starting on December 14, 2012.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Tungurahua located and how tall is it?
Tungurahua is a stratovolcano located in Ecuador, standing at an elevation of 5,023 meters.
How many eruptions has Tungurahua had?
The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program records 31 confirmed eruptions for Tungurahua, stretching from 7750 BCE to 2016.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Tungurahua?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Tungurahua is 5.0.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.