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The city of Baños boasts more than 500 years of civilization.
Much of the city's long history has been marked by eruptions of
the volcano "Tungurahua", which has gone through 16 eruptive
periods since the founding of Baños.
Tungurahua means "fire
tongue" in the indigenous Quichua language.
 Since the date of its most recent reactivation, in September 1999,
Tungurahua, has become the most beautiful and impressive tourist
attraction in Ecuador and, perhaps, all of Latin America.
From many places in Baños we can observe Tungurahua erupt, but you
can have a particularly great view from Luna Runtun "The Adventure
Spa", which is situated in a privileged place as the volcano's
crater opening is located at a 180 degrees viewing angle, facing
west towards Riobamba and Ambato. From the Spa you can observe the
volcanoes fiery show in complete
safety. Currently, the crater measures more than 400 meters
in diameter, five times larger than when it began to erupt
in 1999.
The wind in the region blows from east to west, from the Amazon region towards
Riobamba. This is the reason why ashes do not fall on Baños and Luna
Runtun.
Tungurahua's eruptions are called "stromboliano" eruptions.
During this type of eruption, the volcano almost constantly emits
gas and vapor. This steady release of energy avoids highly explosive
buildups. The volcanoes Arenal, in Costa Rica, and Stromboli, in
Italy, are of the same class as Tungurahua. The former has also
become a major tourist attraction. |
