Ash and steam spewing from Tungarahua volcano.
A explosion within Ecuador’s Tungurahua volcano showered ash on small nearby villages.
The country’s geophysics institute said lava was observed flowing down the flanks of the 16,479-foot (5,023-metre) volcano.
The institute warned the mountain could become more dangerous.
Tungurahua, which means “throat of fire” in the Quichua language, has been erupting off and on since 1999.
An eruption in August 2006 destroyed or severely damaged nearly 5,000 homes and covered some 475,000 acres (197,000 hectares) of farmland with ash.
Photo: Government of Ecuador Digg This 