Chaitén update, 16 May 2008 16 May 2008
Posted by volcanism in Chaitén, Chile, activity reports, eruptions.Tags: Chaitén, Chile, South America, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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Chaitén volcano is maintaining its eruptive activity, reports Chile’s Oficina Nacional de Emergencia today, and a change in wind direction has brought ashfall to areas west of the volcano that have hitherto been spared:
The eruptive process continues at Chaitén volcano. The volcano itself could not be observed today because of the cloud cover in the area.
Since late yesterday a light ashfall has been occurring in some sectors of Chiloé Island, principally affecting the islands of Butacheque, Metaluf, Quenac and Tac and the communes of Quemchi, Achao, Castro, Chonchi and Queilen. Municipal teams are distributing masks in the sectors concerned.
According to information from the Meteorological Directorate of Chile this situation will continue until the early hours of tomorrow morning, Friday 16 May. The orientation of the wind to the north-east and later to the east has been partly responsible for the carrying of ash into these areas. During the morning the Chaitén area will experience cloud cover and rain.
The areas of Chiloé being affected by the ashfall are all towns, villages and small islands on Chiloé’s east coast. The Dirección Meteorológica de Chile, to judge from their forecast for the Los Lagos region (PDF) expects predominantly northerly winds to continue today, along with yet more rain, which does not bode well for the already lahar-engulfed town of Chaitén.
For all our Chaitén coverage: Chaitén << The Volcanism Blog
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Chaitén - summary information for Chaitén (1508-41)
ONEMI, Oficina Nacional de Emergencia - Chilean government emergencies office (Spanish)
SERNAGEOMIN - volcanology information from the Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (Spanish)
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