Market town with snow-capped peak in background 1136091600

Market town with snow-capped peak in background

A market with multi-colored traditional Andean clothing for sale sits in front of a lofty snow-capped mountain beyond the town. Several people can be seen walking among the market stalls

The mountain in the background is Mount Tungarahua, known as the "Black Giant." Like most of Ecuador's lofty peaks, it is a volcano and part of the Pacific "ring of fire." It last erupted in 1999, and since then the local residents and visiting international scientists keep a close watch on the volcano. It is easy to see why people are concerned. A full eruption of the volatile "Black Giant" would surely put the entire nearby towns of Saquisilí and Banos at risk.

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