Mudflows and Volcanic Debris Near Chilean Volcano Force New Round of Evacuations

[Luiz 4,253]

 

http://www.weather.com/news/news/chile-calbuco-volcano-eruption-aftermath?cm_ven=Facebook_TheWeatherChannel_News_JBa_Article_No_3_20150424_twcplayer 

More evacuations were ordered Friday near Chile's Calbuco volcano after volcanic debris and mudflows were found in a nearby river.

The evacuations came after a webcam showed more ash spewing from the volcano Friday. It's the latest in a series of blasts that began Wednesday, creating a remarkable scene of smoke plumes and ash shooting more than 6 miles into the sky. Calbuco had another spectacular outburst early Thursday with lightning crackling through a dark sky turned reddish orange by the explosion.

This week was the volcano's first eruption in 42 years, and the head of the National Mining and Geology Service said the eruptive process could last weeks and even months.

Ensenada, in the foothills of the volcano, looked like a ghost town Thursday, but for an occasional horse or dog roaming its only street. Most of the 1,500 residents had evacuated after the initial eruption Wednesday, with only about 30 people refusing to leave out of worry for their homes and animals, The Associated Press reported. 

 

Friday's evacuations were ordered because some people tried to come home. Authorities said the evacuees from the towns of Chamiza, Lago Chapo and Correntoso would stay at shelters in the nearby city of Puerto Montt. 

The height of the volcanic ash emitted triggered concerns that the dust could contaminate water, trigger respiratory illnesses and halt more flights. No injuries have been reported.

The first blast surprised Chilean emergency officials, who were left with only minutes to issue an alert. 

"People went into a state of panic," said Miguel Silva Diaz, an engineer who lives in Puerto Montt, a city about 14 miles from the volcano. "Then, at around 1 a.m., I heard a loud noise, as if somebody had detonated an atomic bomb."

Parts of Argentina reported heavy ash falling after the eruption. According to a--lysis by Argentina's meteorological service, the ash cloud was shot as high as 40,000 feet.

Meteorologist Chris Dolce of The Weather Channel pointed out that you could see the first eruption via infrared satellite. The second eruption was also visible on satellite even as the ash plume from the first eruption drifted north.

Authorities evacuated 4,000 people as gas and ash continued to spew, and they closed access to the area around the volcano, which lies near the cities of Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, some 620 miles south of Santiago.

"I was shocked. I had just arrived home when I looked through the window and saw the column of smoke rising up. We called our families, posted photos," said Daniel Palma, a psychologist who lives in Puerto Varas.

"We woke up today with a blanket of fog and it hasn't cleared. We have a layer of smoke above us," Palma said, adding that many were concerned about the possible effects of the ash on their health.

President Michelle Bachelet declared a state of emergency, saying the eruption of Calbuco was "more serious and unpredictable" than the one last month at the Villarica volcano, which also forced the evacuation of thousands.

"We don't have any problems with supplies, water or sewage up to now. That's not the problem," said Bachelet, who visited the area Thursday. "Our problem is a respiratory one, from inhaling all of this ash, and the fact that this ash could generate some sort of environmental contamination."

[StarryNight 10,107]

scary  

[Dangerous Man 9,245]

omg, volcanic eruptions also happens here in our country and the place is really messed up. It's actually very dangerous too. Hope no hard headed residents decline the evacuation warning. They better left their belongings coz their lives is more important!

[AgusPop 4,162]

Here in Argentina there are a lot of ash