Peru’s most active volcano, Ubinas, has been in eruption since March 2006, and is currently going through an increase in activity. The gas currently being produced by the volcano is making hundreds of people in neighbouring areas sick, according to reports in the Peruvian media. The inhabitants of the districts of Querapi, Ubinas and Sacoaya are complaining of headaches and respiratory illnesses.

El Comercio reports that Ubinas’s emissions and ash cloud affects an area within 50 kilometres radius of the volcano, and that ash fall is causing alarm in surrounding districts. An investigative commission from Moquegua Region will be visiting the area today to assess the extent of the problems being caused by the volcano, and to test local drinking water supplies. In an earlier report, El Comercio quoted a civil defence authority warning that ash may have affected cattle pasture, which may lead to shortages of food locally.

Scientists from the Instituto Geológico, Minero y Metalúrgico (Ingemmet), Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) and the Instituto Geofísico of the Universidad Nacional San Agustín de Arequipa maintain constant monitoring of the volcano. Ingemmet reports that Ubinas’s activity is increasing, with three explosions on 23 April producing a 1.6-kilometre eruption column.

Information
Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program – summary information for Ubinas (1504-02=)
Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico – Geological, Mineral and Metallurgical Institute of Peru (Ingemmet)
Volcán Ubinas – Erupción 2006 – Ingemmet portal for Ubinas

News
Gases y cenizas del Ubinas estarían afectando a más de 800 pobladores – El Comercio, 24 April 2008 (Spanish)
Determinarán si evacuan a pobladores de Ubinas tras reactivación del volcán – El Comercio, 24 April 2008 (Spanish)
Gases y cenizas del volcán Ubinas enferman a población – RPP Noticias, 24 April 2008 (Spanish)
Active volcano makes hundreds sick in Ubinas, Peru – Living in Peru, 25 April 2008