Incredible images after southern Chile’s Calbuco volcano erupted for the second time

The Calbuco volcano erupts near Puerto Varas, Chile. Picture: AP Source: AP

A VOLCANO in Chile that had been inactive for over 50 years suddenly erupted twice in the space of hours, blasting huge clouds of ash into the air and has created an incredible light show.

The eruption also forced the evacuation of around 5000 people.
There were no immediate reports of injuries after the eruptions from the Calbuco volcano in southern Chile Wednesday evening and then again seven hours later.
A state of emergency was declared after the first eruption, and air traffic was disrupted.

The view from Puerto Varas, southern Chile, of a high column of ash and lava spewing from the Calbuco volcano. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Chilean TV aired spectacular footage of ash, bright orange flames and flaming rocks belching from the mouth of the volcano.
The first eruption spewed a giant mushroom of ash 10 kilometres into the sky. Ash reached neighbouring Argentina, where officials started taking emergency measures.
Calbuco had been dormant for 54 years, officials said.

Calbuco explodes

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The Calbuco volcano erupts for the first time in more than 42 years. Picture: AP Source: AP

Officials ordered an evacuation for a 20-kilometre radius around the volcano and the interior ministry rushed in the army to temporarily take control of the province of Llanquihue and the town of Puerto Octay. The National Geology and Mining Service said the volcano might start oozing lava, raising the possibility of mountaintop snow and ice melting, causing floods and raising water levels in rivers.
President Michelle Bachelet said she would travel to the affected area along with several ministers.

Lava spewing from the Calbuco volcano high into the sky. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

“The ash might damage crops, animal feed, bridges, roads, people’s work routines, tourism and especially their health,” Bachelet said.
The first eruption lasted nearly 90 minutes, vulcanologist Gabriel Orozco of the geology service said.
On a 0-8 scale measuring volcano eruption strength, the first one came in at four or five, Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said.

More lava spewing from the Calbuco volcano. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

The second one was just about as powerful, the ministry said. It said there were no immediate reports of people hurt or missing. Until minutes right before the blast, volcano eruption monitoring systems had picked up nothing. In fact, volcano watchers in Chile had been watching another one, Villarica also in the south, for a possible eruption.
Television footage showed large traffic jams and long lines at gas stations in Puerto Montt, where a red alert was declared, along with nearby Puerto Varas.
“I would like to call on the population to remain calm and stay informed,” Penailillo said.
Police called on residents to keep roads as clear as possible to aid the evacuation.

Evacuation ... cars are seen amid volcanic ashes from the Calbuco volcano. Picture: AFP/Martin Bernetti Source: AFP

It was a “rather explosive eruption,” said Gabriel Orozco, a volcanologist at the National Geology and Mining Service.
He said the 10-kilometre-high ash cloud risked collapsing, and warned: “River beds are very dangerous at the moment” because of the risk of ice and snow melting and causing floods.
The 2000-metre volcano is located in the Los Lagos region, some 1400 kilometres south of the capital Santiago.

Disruptiopn ... a roof is seen covered by volcanic ashes from Calbuco. Picture: AFP/Martin Bernetti Source: AFP

It is the second volcano in southern Chile to have a substantial eruption since March 3, when the Villarrica volcano emitted a brief but fiery burst of ash and lava.
That eruption caused authorities to evacuate more than 3500 people. No lava was seen in the latest eruption, which began around 6pm (11am AEST). But the ash cloud, which could be seen from 20 kilometres away, loomed over the crater, turning hues of pink and yellow as the sun set over the area.
Chile has about 90 active volcanoes, of which Calbuco is considered one of the most dangerous.