world's largest mud volcano,Lusi 13,000 families homeless, will probably continue to erupt for another 26 years, researchers

The Tungurahua volcano spews ash and steam during an eruption in Banos

The world's largest mud volcano, which had left nearly 13,000 families homeless, will probably continue to erupt for another 26 years, researchers estimated.

The first eruption was back in May 2006, and has been spewing 180,000 cubic metres of mud a day.

The volcano has affected many homes, schools and farmlands.

This is the first reliable estimate on how long Lusi will continue to erupt.

Co-author Richard Davies stated that there are a number of factors which made it not possible to produce an estimate until now.