A volcano in Ecuador spewed a six-mile-high column of ash into the air, during an explosion that last five minutes at 6:10pm local time on Friday.

Yesterday's blast at Tungurahua was followed by a second, four-minute explosion and five lesser tremors, according to Ecuador's geophysics institute.

The 16,480-foot volcano, nearly 90 miles south of the capital Quito, awakened on 1 February.

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At the time, the eruptions affected a third of Ecuador's provinces and caused a regional airport to temporarily close.

Tungurahua, often referred to as ‘Throat of Fire’, has been erupting sporadically since 1999. In 2006, a toxic cloud killed four people and left two missing.

Shape Created with Sketch. Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador, erupts Show all 6 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador, erupts 1/6 Tungurahua The Tungurahua volcano spews a column of ash as seen from Ambato, Ecuador, Friday, 4 April , 2014. AP Photo 2/6 Tungurahua The volcano spewed a 6-mile (10-kilometer) column of ash after a powerful five-minute explosion that shot pyroclastic material onto its northern and northwestern flanks. AP Photo 3/6 Tungurahua According to local media, the volcano emitted a column of ash on Friday afternoon. REUTERS/Carlos Campana 4/6 Tungurahua Tungurahua, which means "Throat of Fire" in the local Quechua language, has been classified as active since 1999. AFP PHOTO / ANDRES REYESANDRES REYES/AFP/Getty Images 5/6 Tungurahua The mound lies in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, and is neighboured by seven other active volcanoes in Ecuador. AFP PHOTO / ANDRES REYESANDRES REYES/AFP/Getty Images 6/6 Tungurahua The area earned its name because of the large number of volcanic eruptions which are triggered by earthquakes. REUTERS/Carlos Campana 1/6 Tungurahua The Tungurahua volcano spews a column of ash as seen from Ambato, Ecuador, Friday, 4 April , 2014. AP Photo 2/6 Tungurahua The volcano spewed a 6-mile (10-kilometer) column of ash after a powerful five-minute explosion that shot pyroclastic material onto its northern and northwestern flanks. AP Photo 3/6 Tungurahua According to local media, the volcano emitted a column of ash on Friday afternoon. REUTERS/Carlos Campana 4/6 Tungurahua Tungurahua, which means "Throat of Fire" in the local Quechua language, has been classified as active since 1999. AFP PHOTO / ANDRES REYESANDRES REYES/AFP/Getty Images 5/6 Tungurahua The mound lies in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, and is neighboured by seven other active volcanoes in Ecuador. AFP PHOTO / ANDRES REYESANDRES REYES/AFP/Getty Images 6/6 Tungurahua The area earned its name because of the large number of volcanic eruptions which are triggered by earthquakes. REUTERS/Carlos Campana

The mound lies in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, and is neighboured by seven other active volcanoes in Ecuador.

The area earned its name because of the large number of volcanic eruptions which are triggered by earthquakes.

Additional reporting by