'Eruptive Pulse' of Chile's Calbuco Volcano Forces Evacuations

By Miguel Perez, AccuWeather En Español Staff Writer

April 30,2015; 10:57PM,EDT

 

 

Following back-to-back, major eruptions of the Calbuco volcano in southern Chile, which occurred for the first time in 42 years on April 22, the volcano registered a third eruptive pulse, or an explosive eruptive plume, Thursday.
According to CIMAT - Early Warning Monitoring Information Center, Calbuco registered the third pulse of the eruption and forced preventive evacuations in the affected area.
"Unlike eruptions last week, winds above the volcano will not direct the ashes to Buenos Aires or Santiago after the current eruption," AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Jim Andrews said.
"On the contrary, winds lead the ash to the east and southeast of the volcano through Friday morning."

Through a new report issued this afternoon, the National Emergency Office (Onemi) gave details on the number of evacuees and the effects the new eruptive pulse produced.
Solid activity increased at 1:09 p.m., Chilean time, according to the National Service of Geology and Mining (Sernageomin).
From a central mass of the volcano, a column of gas, consisting of steam and pyroclastic material was expelled.
Due to increased Calbuco's volcanic activity, Onemi said it was necessary to evacuate people who were in an exclusion zone around 20 kilometers.
Evacuees are residents of areas including Correntoso, Chapo Lake, Inlet, Colonia Tres Puentes and Waterfall. All were away from high-risk areas, according to the report.
"If the volcano is still spewing ash on Friday night and on the weekend, a change in wind direction could then carry the ashes to Buenos Aires and thus cause flight delays." Andrews added.
According to recent information from the National Geology and Mining (Sernageomin) of Chile, the plume of Calbuco Volcano is low.
Likewise, with respect to weather conditions in the area, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said the situation could change as some showers passengers will be presented later Thursday night and shaping a stable band of rain during the first part of Friday.
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, the Calbuco volcano erupts near Puerto Varas, Chile. The volcano erupted for the first time in more than 42 years, billowing a huge ash cloud over a sparsely populated, mountainous area in southern Chile. (AP Photo/David Cortes Serey/ Agencia Uno)
"Rainfall amounts are about 0.50 of an inch (12 mm) and may be extended until the afternoon," she said.