Tungurahua volcano

Tungurahua is a stratovolcano in Tungurahua Province, Ecuador, located inside Sangay National Park. The summit reaches 5016 meters and is made of layers of andesite rock that built up over time.

The first documented climb took place in February 1873 by German volcanologists Alphons Stübel and Wilhelm Reiss during their South American expedition. Since the 19th century, several eruptive phases have been recorded that shaped the surrounding land.

The name comes from Kichwa and means Throat of Fire, which reflects how local communities see this mountain. Families in the area have lived with eruptions for generations and learned to read the signs the mountain gives.

Monitoring stations nearby track seismic activity and gas emissions around the clock. Visitors should check current warnings from authorities as conditions can change quickly.

Between 1999 and 2016, the mountain went through a continuous eruptive phase that made the entire summit glacier disappear. Today you see only bare rock and fresh lava layers where ice once covered the top.

Location: Baños

Elevation above the sea: 5,016 m

Made from material: andesite

Part of: Sangay National Park

GPS coordinates: -1.46691,-78.44921

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:22