On Monday 12th May, emissions from Chaitén volcano in Chile reached an altitude of 8 km. Pyroclastic flows have burned several hectares of forest. A vertical dome is located in a 1 km wide crater. The Chaitén River has overflowed due to silting up from ash and pumice, and lahars extended 200 m either side of the river. About 40 buildings, and many vehicles, were buried by the lahars. Lahars remain an ongoing hazard at the volcano. Earthquakes greater than magnitude 3, and earthquake swarms lasting 5 minutes have been recorded at the volcano.
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About John Seach
- John Seach
- John Seach is a scientist and the world's leading volcano adventurer. Over the past 24 years John has traveled to the world's most exciting volcanoes, and witnessed eruptions during trips to more than 200 volcanoes. John's work has been featured on award winning television programmes. John is the founder of "Volcano Live", the world's first volcano news and volcano travel website.