Puerto Varas, Chile - Southern Chile remained on alert Friday for another eruption from the Calbuco volcano after it burst into life in spectacular, fiery fashion for the first time in half a century, forcing 5,000 people to evacuate and lighting up the night sky.
Authorities declared a state of emergency, sent in the army and evacuated a 21-kilometer (13-mile) radius around the volcano after the twin eruptions -- the first on Wednesday as night fell and the second early Thursday before sunrise.
The volcano, which had last erupted 54 years ago, may not be done quite yet, experts and officials warned, after it put on a spectacular show of volcanic lightning and exploding lava.
Chile's National Geology and Mines Service cautioned that a third eruption could follow. President Michelle Bachelet, who flew to the affected area, said: "We don't know how the situation is going to evolve. It's pretty unpredictable."
Massive ash clouds belched into the sky, forced airlines to cancel flights and drifted as far away as southern Argentina -- including the picturesque ski resort of Bariloche, which warned people to stay home to avoid inhaling dust particles.
There were no immediate reports of injuries. A 21-year-old mountain climber was initially reported missing, but later turned up alive.
The first eruption, which started around 6:00 pm (2100 GMT) Wednesday and lasted about 90 minutes, spewed a giant mushroom cloud of ash 10 kilometers into the sky, which turned hues of pink and yellow as the sun set over the area.
Seven hours later, Calbuco erupted again, this time shooting lava into the air and generating volcanic lightning, a phenomenon researchers believe is caused by the emission of large amounts of molten rock and ash charged with static electricity.
People who saw the spectacle of the earth roaring were dumbfounded.
"I came to Chile as a tourist for three months but I did not expect this. The eruption was unbelievable. The Calbuco show was worth the price of admission," said Cody Fritz, a 30-year-old US traveler.
Bluish-white bolts of lightning cut through the red and orange plumes of lava in a stunning display of nature's power that played out against the backdrop of the night sky.
AFP
