Huaynaputina

On February 19, 1600, the Peruvian stratovolcano Huaynaputina exploded in the most violent eruption in South American recorded history. From the article:

"1600 AD Plinian eruption of Huaynaputina volcano
The eruption of Huaynaputina volcano in 1600 AD was the largest historically recorded eruption in South America and one of the largest in the world during the past 2000 years. It erupted up to 30 cu km of tephra (or ca. 12 km3 of magma) (VEI 6) and is comparable to the Plinian eruption of Krakatau in 1883. The pumice and ash layer from the eruption covers an area of 360,000 km2.
This powerful eruption was fed by fissures and produced pyroclastic flows and surges that traveled 13 km to the east and SE. Hot mud flows (lahars) reached the Pacific Ocean, 120 km away.
[hide]
Precursory activity, start and end of the eruption
The eruption was preceded by 4 days of intense seismic activity, then started on 9 February 1600 with a plinian phase. It lasted until 6 March 1600.

Paroxysmal Eruption
The main and most violent phase of eruption at Huaynaputina Volcano on 19 February 1600 announced itself by 2 large earthquakes at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. The eruption began with a violent explosion and produced a Plinian ash plume 33-35 km high. The Plinian phase was sustained at least 13 hours, but likely lasted until 20 Feb. During this phase, the sky became dark and white ash and pumice started to fall in the area. Intense volcanic lightning was observed in the plume and the noise was compared to artillery fire, terrifying the local population.
The plume decreased and ashfall continued until 22 February when the sun was briefly visible, suggesting the eruption had decreased swignificantly. Ash emission stopped on 23-24 February but resumed on 25 February. The area was in darkness lasted for 40 hours.
Intermittent ash fall continued until 6 March 1600, but dust in the air made the sun appear hazy until 2 April.

Damage and fatalities
The eruption caused an large unknown number of fatalities and substantial damage to the villages and the nearby cities of Arequipa and Moquengua. Inhabitants at Quinististacas village, 11 km south of Huaynaputina, were buried under hot pumice and ash. People of Omate, 16 km from the volcano, were buried under pyroclastic flows, and there were no survivors from the villages Chiqueomate, Lloque, Tacsate, Solona and Checa, all near the volcano.
Regional economies took 150 years to fully recover."