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Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano

Updated 11:51 AM ET, Wed August 22, 2012

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Smoke rises from the Tungurahua volcano in Huambalo, Ecuador, on Tuesday, August 21. Increased volcanic activity has led authorities to raise a security alert from moderate to high. The volcano is 87 miles (140 kilometers) south of Quito, Ecuador's capital. <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/topics/293965">Are you there? Send us your pictures and video.</a>
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – Smoke rises from the Tungurahua volcano in Huambalo, Ecuador, on Tuesday, August 21. Increased volcanic activity has led authorities to raise a security alert from moderate to high. The volcano is 87 miles (140 kilometers) south of Quito, Ecuador's capital. Are you there? Send us your pictures and video.
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Volunteer Carlos Sanchez analyzes samples of volcanic ash Tuesday in Banos, Ecuador. Calling himself "the Volcano Watcher," Sanchez assists volcanologists by observing Tungurahua.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – Volunteer Carlos Sanchez analyzes samples of volcanic ash Tuesday in Banos, Ecuador. Calling himself "the Volcano Watcher," Sanchez assists volcanologists by observing Tungurahua.
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Banos residents walk through the main square of town Tuesday as the nearby Tungurahua volcano spews ashes.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – Banos residents walk through the main square of town Tuesday as the nearby Tungurahua volcano spews ashes.
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Eruptions from the Tungurahua volcano have prompted authorities to evacuate nearby residents.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – Eruptions from the Tungurahua volcano have prompted authorities to evacuate nearby residents.
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The glacier-capped, 16,478-foot (5,023-meter) volcano has erupted periodically since 1999.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – The glacier-capped, 16,478-foot (5,023-meter) volcano has erupted periodically since 1999.
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Lava, ash and other volcanic material flows from Tungurahua on Tuesday. Tungurahua means "throat of fire" in the native Quechua language of the Andes.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – Lava, ash and other volcanic material flows from Tungurahua on Tuesday. Tungurahua means "throat of fire" in the native Quechua language of the Andes.
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A large cloud of ash blows over the town of Bilbao on Tuesday.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – A large cloud of ash blows over the town of Bilbao on Tuesday.
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Clouds of gas and ash from Tungurahua are visible Monday, August 20, in Banos, a town at the foot of the volcano.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – Clouds of gas and ash from Tungurahua are visible Monday, August 20, in Banos, a town at the foot of the volcano.
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Ash blankets the ground in Banos on Sunday, August 19.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – Ash blankets the ground in Banos on Sunday, August 19.
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Grass and trees in Banos appear gray from the showering of volcanic ash on Sunday.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – Grass and trees in Banos appear gray from the showering of volcanic ash on Sunday.
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Residents take cover Sunday near Banos as the volcano spews large clouds of gas and ash.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – Residents take cover Sunday near Banos as the volcano spews large clouds of gas and ash.
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A cow covered in ash stands along a road near Banos on Sunday.
Photos: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano – A cow covered in ash stands along a road near Banos on Sunday.
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