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Volcano erupts in southern Chile | Volcano erupts in southern Chile |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Chile has evacuated more than 150 people who had returned to the southern town of Chaiten after it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption last year. | Chile has evacuated more than 150 people who had returned to the southern town of Chaiten after it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption last year. |
Authorities decided to take action after the Chaiten volcano erupted again on Thursday, sending a stream of lava down its slopes. | Authorities decided to take action after the Chaiten volcano erupted again on Thursday, sending a stream of lava down its slopes. |
Authorities say no-one will be allowed to stay in the area, in Patagonia. | Authorities say no-one will be allowed to stay in the area, in Patagonia. |
But many of Chaiten's 4,500 former residents have resisted government plans to relocate the town. | But many of Chaiten's 4,500 former residents have resisted government plans to relocate the town. |
Deputy Interior Minister Patricio Rosende said the volcano had seen "a significant resumption of activity". | Deputy Interior Minister Patricio Rosende said the volcano had seen "a significant resumption of activity". |
"Our security team has observed an increase in the size of a column of ash and smoke, with a deformation to one side," he said. | "Our security team has observed an increase in the size of a column of ash and smoke, with a deformation to one side," he said. |
"That leads us to presume that there is a collapse of one of the cones. This is more proof of the imminent risk in the area. It is a time-bomb." | "That leads us to presume that there is a collapse of one of the cones. This is more proof of the imminent risk in the area. It is a time-bomb." |
Craters fused | Craters fused |
The volcano, which is 10km (6 miles) from the town, had been dormant for 9,000 years before last May's spectacular eruption. | The volcano, which is 10km (6 miles) from the town, had been dormant for 9,000 years before last May's spectacular eruption. |
Vast clouds of smoke and ash soared more than 30km into the sky, as the debris reached neighbouring Argentina and disrupted flights. | Vast clouds of smoke and ash soared more than 30km into the sky, as the debris reached neighbouring Argentina and disrupted flights. |
At the time, officials said the volcano's two craters had fused, helping ease pressure. | At the time, officials said the volcano's two craters had fused, helping ease pressure. |
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The Chaiten volcano started erupting again in 2008 | |
But a government expert on volcanoes warned there could be a big eruption at any time. | But a government expert on volcanoes warned there could be a big eruption at any time. |
"There could be a major explosion that could collapse the volcano's cone," said Luis Lara of the National Geologic and Mining Service. | "There could be a major explosion that could collapse the volcano's cone," said Luis Lara of the National Geologic and Mining Service. |
Sitting on the edge of the South American and Nazca tectonic plates, Chile is in one of the most volcanically active regions on Earth. | Sitting on the edge of the South American and Nazca tectonic plates, Chile is in one of the most volcanically active regions on Earth. |
Experts say that about 20 of its more than 100 active volcanoes are in danger of erupting at any time. | Experts say that about 20 of its more than 100 active volcanoes are in danger of erupting at any time. |
Chaiten is 1,220km south of Chile's capital, Santiago. | Chaiten is 1,220km south of Chile's capital, Santiago. |
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