Chile warns of possible third eruption

Chilean authorities warned Friday that the Calbuco volcano, which erupted spectacularly on the previous two days, could erupt for a third time.

A 12-mile evacuation zone was still in effect around the volcano on Friday morning, following the evacuation of some 5,000 people.

Rodrigo Alvarez, director of Chile's Geological and Mining Service, which monitors seismic activity, said the danger level at volcano had not diminished.

"We believe the Calbuco volcano could open up a new crater and generate a more aggressive eruption," Alvarez said.

The volcano erupted Wednesday afternoon for the first time in more than four decades, spewing out a plume of ash more than 6 miles high. Emergency officials were taken by surprise and had only a few minutes to issue an alert.

Calbuco had another spectacular outburst early Thursday with lightning crackling through a dark sky turned reddish orange by the explosion.

President Michelle Bachelet visited the area later Thursday and declared a state of emergency.

"We don't have any problems with supplies, water or sewage up to now. That's not the problem," she said. "Our problem is a respiratory one, from inhaling all of this ash, and the fact that this ash could generate some sort of environmental contamination."

The short-term dangers related to the ash include eye and skin infections as well as water contamination, said Bernardo Martorell, a physician and the head of the sanitary planning division at Chile's health ministry.

President Michelle Bachelet, who visited the Calbuco area Thursday, declared a state of emergency.

"We don't have any problems with supplies, water or sewage up to now. That's not the problem," she said. "Our problem is a respiratory one, from inhaling all of this ash, and the fact that this ash could generate some sort of environmental contamination."

The short-term dangers related to the ash include eye and skin infections as well as water contamination, said Bernardo Martorell, a physician and the head of the sanitary planning division at Chile's health ministry.

"That's why the people in the area need to evacuate," Martorell said.

Ensenada, in the foothills of the volcano, looked like a ghost town but for an occasional horse or dog roaming its only street. Most of the 1,500 residents had evacuated after the initial eruption Wednesday, with only about 30 people refusing to leave out of worry for their homes and animals.

Daniel Patricio Gonzalez left with his wife, 7-year-old son and 4-year-old twins, but he returned to town Thursday night to assess the damage. The roof at the restaurant he manages had caved in from the weight of the mounting ash.

"This hurts a bit, but there's nothing to do against nature,” he said. “The important thing is that my family is fine.”

It is the second eruption in Chile since March 3, when Villarrica emitted a brief but fiery burst of ash and lava. On Thursday, a magnitude 3 quake was registered inside the Villarica volcano, according to Chile's Geological and Mining Service. Chile has about 90 active volcanoes.

Wire services