Critter Sitter's Blog: Calbuco Volcano in Southern Chile

Calbuco volcano, in the Los Lagos Region of southern Chile, had not erupted in forty-two years - until yesterday. There have been two eruptions in the last twenty-four hours, with a lava flow into Lago Chapo. Calbuco had ten eruptions between 1837 and 1972, but has been dormant until Wednesday. Geologists in the area were surprised by the eruption and only had minutes to give evacuation orders. More than 4,000 people have left the cities of Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt. The first eruption consisted of a six-mile high (10 km) plume of ash and gases. Calbuco is an andesite volcano, and it's ash and lava contain a high percentage of fine silicon dioxide. As the ash plume spreads, water and air pollution concerns become greater. Several flights have been cancelled, and flight plans for major airlines have been changed. With the high silicone dioxide content in the ash, there is a worry about respiratory illnesses, as this may cause silicosis, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Chile has had internal problems recently - first, huge wildfires near Valparaiso; then heavy flooding in northern Chile; and, now, the eruption of Calbuco. Hopefully this will be the end of their travails for a while....