Chaiten evacuated once again as the nearby volcano threatens the area.On Thursday, Feb. 19, Chilean authorities once again evacuated as many as 160 remaining inhabitants of the destroyed town of Chaiten as the nearby volcano renewed its furry. Large amounts of gas and ash were spewed high into the air surrounding the volcano, some of the ash falling as far away as Futaleufu near the Argentina border. Authorities flew over the area on Thursday and said the situation is risky for the nearby town of Chaiten because rains could trigger avalanches once again flooding Chaiten. An estimated 4000 people lived in Chaiten at the time the eruption began on May 2, 2008. Many of the residents of Chaiten have resisted efforts by the Chilean government to resettle the town elsewhere. Residents opposed to the relocation, in recent weeks staged protests, cutting access in or out of the area. Chilean authorities stated on Thursday that this "was exactly the kind of danger we were talking about when we decided to relocate Chaiten. "The relocation site has yet to be determined.
Some great recent pictures can be seen here: http://www.fotos.emol.com/index.asp?G_ID=8803
Here is a short video of the Chiten Volcano as it is now: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7902923.stm
2 comments:
Cool picture of the volcano
Thanks, it was taken on the road leading to Caleta Gonzalo, on the north side of the volcano. Probably not a good place to be, but at the time it seemed safe.
February 21, 2009 10:15 AM
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