Breathtaking scenes of smoke plumes and ash rising up in the sky were observed when Chile’s Calbuco volcano woke up and erupted for the first time in over 42 years.
Chile’s National Office of Emergency of the Interior Ministry (ONEMI) has issued a red alert for the people of Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt following this eruption which was a surprise for the authorities. This is because the authorities had the volcano under special observation. Authorities have evacuated around 1500 people from nearby areas.
Chile's National Mining and Geology Service has issued its own alert and banned anyone from entering the surrounding areas of the volcano. The country’s Education Ministry canceled classes for schools following the eruption. The eruption had an effect on aviation too as at least three flights were canceled. These flights were headed to Puerto Montt.
Calbuco is situated in a thinly populated area of the Los Lagos Region and is one of the most dangerous volcanos in Chile. Calbuco last erupted in the year 1972.
The current eruption is a much bigger one than the Villarrica which erupted in March this year. Following Calbuco eruption, ONEMI has issued a yellow alert for Villarrica.
image credit: rt.com
