Tungurahua eruption subsides but danger remains; ash cloud dissipates and Guayaquil airport reopens

Ecuador’s Geophysical Institute reported early Sunday morning that activity at Volcan Tungurahua continued to subside. "There has been a decrease in the activity of the volcano,” the institute said in its morning bulletin. The statement emphasized, however, that the danger was not over and new eruptions were possible. Lava continued to flow from the crater, although at a reduced rate, and residents of Ambato and Riobamba continued to hear large explostions.

Meanwhile, air traffic had returned to normal by Saturday night as all national and international flights were operating on schedule as the ash cloud that covered Guayaquil on Friday and Saturday dissipated.