Seismic activity in Chaitén volcano shows increase in recent days

SANTIAGO.- According to the National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin), the Chaitén volcano has been exhibiting a "continuous and unrelenting" increase seismic activity since April 8th.

The organization has indicated that, since the 8th of the this month, the volcano has registered an average of 16 tremors per day up to 4.5 degrees of intensity on the Richter scale.

Due to the increase, liberated seismic energy has also significantly increased and could be related to accelerated growth in the lava dome of the volcano.

The Sernageomin explained that this could cause explosions, periodic lava flows and ash, which could affect the valleys adjacent to the Chaitén volcano, with a possibility of lahars. As a result, the organization has decided to maintain a red volcanic alert for the area.