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Although the column of smoke emitting from the great volcano had been reduced
from around 7 miles (12 km) to 5 miles (8 km), and was expected to drop to 4 to
5 km,
winds blew the ash from the Chilean volcano yesterday in a widening arc.
Volcanologist Jorge Muñoz of Chile's National Geology and Mines Service said that the eruption - which opened a three-mile long fissure along a high-altitude ridge between two volcanic peaks - is considered to be moderate so far, but that could change. Muñoz warned that the volcano will likely begin to expel lava in the coming days, along with pyroclastic material that can turn waterways into avalanches of mud and rock and have the potential to destroy downstream communities. Closer to the volcano, strong rains beginning on Monday night increased the danger of rivers getting clogged with ash and then overflowing in flash floods. The eruption Enrique Valdivieso, director of Sernageomin, announced on Tuesday that "seismic activity had decreased significantly" at Puyehue volcano, with a rate of less than ten earthquakes per hour. However, it is "very likely" that lava could begin pouring out.
Chile volcano eruption no big deal?
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