Residents around Chile’s Calbuco volcano were stunned when the mountain roared to life yesterday for the first time in over four decades.
The president of the country has declared a state of emergency and officials forcibly evacuated the town of Ensenada and its 1500 residents. Two other smaller communities were also forced to clear out.
Heavy ash was reported through the region and also in neighboring Argentina. The official government metrological service reported the ash cloud reaching a peak of 40,000 feet.
No injuries have been reported but one hiker was reported missing.
Officials say that no hot rocks or lava have been seen coming from the volcano but the high levels of ash are posting a threat to the groundwater in the region. The ash can also cause significant problems to air travel and residents who have breathing problems like asthma.
The mountain is considered one of the three most dangerous volcanoes in Chile.
Chile is located on the eastern edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire. One of the country’s most active volcanoes, Villarica, erupted last month sending lava down its sides and forcing the evacuation of thousands.
The two most active volcanoes in Mexico erupted Wednesday, spewing large columns of ash and gas into the air.
Located to the south-east of Mexico City, the Popocatepetl volcano, also known as “Don Goyo,” registered 60 explosions within 24 hours with one of the explosions reaching over 3,000 feet into the air.
Within the same time period, the Colima volcano, known as the “Volcano of Fire” located 430 miles northwest of Mexico’s capital also registered several eruptions.
The governor of the state, Mario Anguiano Moreno, stated on Twitter that there is “no considerable risk for the population, since the wind is taking the ashes to the northeast of the state.”
There has been no calls for evacuations at this time.
Authorities in New Zealand are telling airlines worldwide to avoid Tonga on their international routes following a volcanic eruption.
The Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center says the Hunga Ha’apai volcano near Tonga’s capital city Nuku’alofa is sending a “dark volcanic cloud” 16,000 feet into the air and 10 nautical miles around the island.
Authorities say it’s impossible to know what is happening around the volcano because of the thickness of the volcanic ash cloud.
All flights into Tonga have been cancelled with no announcement as to when they might restart.
Hunga Ha’apai is the same volcano that first appeared roaring out of the Pacific Ocean in 2009 to create an island.
It is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
