World Amazing Stuff: Volcano erupts in Chile, thousands escape

Volcano erupts in Chile, thousands escape



South America’s most active volcanoes erupted early on 03-03-15 Tuesday in southern Chile, spewing heavy smoke into the air as lava surged down its slopes, prompting authorities to evacuate thousands of people.

The Villarrica volcano erupted around 3am local time, according to the National Emergency Office, which issued a red alert and ordered evacuations. Local media showed images of the volcano bursting at the top, glowing in the dark amid heavy smoke and rivers of lava.

The 2,847-metre volcano in Chile’s central valley, 670 kilometres south of Santiago, sits above the small city of Pucon, which has a population of about 22,000 people.

Tourists flock there for outdoor activities like kayaking, horseback riding, fishing and hiking around the volcano, which last had a major eruption in 1984. Dozens of tourists were among those evacuated. Read more…..

Volcano erupts in Chile in pictures