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Fresh fears over Chilean volcano | Fresh fears over Chilean volcano |
(about 2 hours later) | |
There have been reports of further activity in the Chaiten volcano in Chile, which began erupting on Friday for the first time in some 9,000 years. | There have been reports of further activity in the Chaiten volcano in Chile, which began erupting on Friday for the first time in some 9,000 years. |
Army staff supervising the evacuation of nearby towns reported hearing rumbling noises underground and seeing flashes of light overnight. | Army staff supervising the evacuation of nearby towns reported hearing rumbling noises underground and seeing flashes of light overnight. |
The authorities say they have now completed their evacuation of the immediate area in the Patagonia region. | The authorities say they have now completed their evacuation of the immediate area in the Patagonia region. |
Experts say the volcano could continue to erupt for weeks or months. | Experts say the volcano could continue to erupt for weeks or months. |
A layer of ash over 15cm (6in) thick has built up in some places and ground-water supplies have been contaminated. | A layer of ash over 15cm (6in) thick has built up in some places and ground-water supplies have been contaminated. |
A number of animals left behind have been rescued, but many have been reported dead, officials said. | A number of animals left behind have been rescued, but many have been reported dead, officials said. |
Columns of smoke and ash have also reached neighbouring Argentina, disrupting flights. | Columns of smoke and ash have also reached neighbouring Argentina, disrupting flights. |
href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_enl_1210249944/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_enl_1210249944/html/1.stm', '1210250137', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=442,height=620,left=312,top=100'); return false;">The fallout from the volcano href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_enl_1210249944/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_enl_1210249944/html/1.stm', '1210250137', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=442,height=620,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >Enlarge Map | |
"Army personnel have seen pyroclastic material, burning material," Miguel Munoz of the government's National Emergency Office told the Reuters news agency. | "Army personnel have seen pyroclastic material, burning material," Miguel Munoz of the government's National Emergency Office told the Reuters news agency. |
The remaining civilian and army personnel in Chaiten, 10km (6 miles) from the volcano, have left, he said. | The remaining civilian and army personnel in Chaiten, 10km (6 miles) from the volcano, have left, he said. |
Chaiten can only be reached by air or boat, so Chilean naval vessels have been helping people leave. | Chaiten can only be reached by air or boat, so Chilean naval vessels have been helping people leave. |
Thousands of other people have been evacuated from the region, including residents of Futaleufu, to the east of the volcano. | Thousands of other people have been evacuated from the region, including residents of Futaleufu, to the east of the volcano. |
Mechanic Patricio Ide, 40, was evacuated from Chaiten to Puerto Montt, 200km (125 miles) away. | Mechanic Patricio Ide, 40, was evacuated from Chaiten to Puerto Montt, 200km (125 miles) away. |
"Everything is so uncertain," he told Reuters. | "Everything is so uncertain," he told Reuters. |
"This could last a month, three months, maybe we can never return. We are so worried." | "This could last a month, three months, maybe we can never return. We are so worried." |
Major risk | Major risk |
Chilean officials said ash, smoke and molten rock had been thrown from the volcano. | Chilean officials said ash, smoke and molten rock had been thrown from the volcano. |
The town of Chaiten, closest to the volcano, is now deserted | |
After a surge in activity on Tuesday, officials said the volcano's two craters had fused, helping ease pressure. | After a surge in activity on Tuesday, officials said the volcano's two craters had fused, helping ease pressure. |
But a government vulcano expert warned there could be a big eruption at any time. | But a government vulcano expert warned there could be a big eruption at any time. |
"There could be a major explosion that could collapse the volcano's cone," said Luis Lara of the National Geologic and Mining Service. | "There could be a major explosion that could collapse the volcano's cone," said Luis Lara of the National Geologic and Mining Service. |
Sitting on the edge of the South American and Nazca tectonic plates, Chile is in one of the most volcanically active regions on Earth. | Sitting on the edge of the South American and Nazca tectonic plates, Chile is in one of the most volcanically active regions on Earth. |
Experts say that about 20 of its more than 100 active volcanoes are in danger of erupting at any time. | Experts say that about 20 of its more than 100 active volcanoes are in danger of erupting at any time. |