VOLCANO ERUPTION IN CHILE after 50 YEARS

A Volcano has erupted in Chile measuring 6 miles high and 3 miles wide spilling dust over both Countries and 3,000 people have been evacuated in
Chile and an Airport closed in Argentina. No report of casualties.

1:48am UK, Monday June 06, 2011

A volcano in south-central Chile has continued to erupt, shooting out pumice stones and plumes of ash six miles high and three miles wide.

More than 3,500 people were evacuated at the weekend from their homes near the volcano, and took shelter in government accommodation or friends' homes.

One group of 122 people moved from a shelter for fear that the eruption could cause flooding on the Nilahue River.

Overnight, the weather appeared to take a turn for the worse, with a dramatic show of lightning breaking out in the ash cloud hovering above the volcano.

Ash is being blown towards neighbouring Argentina and the border crossing between the two countries has been closed.

Officials there urged people to cover their mouths and noses against the ash, to stock up on food and water and stay indoors if possible.



A dramatic show of lightning broke out in the hovering ash cloud


According to Chilean officials, there is not yet any visible lava flow.

Local media said the smell of sulphur hung in the air and there was constant seismic activity.

"The situation is very complicated," said Santiago Rozas, mayor of Lago Ranco, a town about 40 miles (70 km) north of the eruption.

"The shift means that we will have a rain of ash, with damage for the population and a threat to smallholder farming."

It is not yet clear which of the Puyehue Cordon Caulle volcanic chain's four volcanoes has erupted, because of the heavy ash cloud.

The chain last saw a major eruption in 1960.

Chile has a chain of 2,000 volcanoes, the second highest amount after Indonesia, 500 of which are potentially active.