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Volcanic activity dissipates two days after eruption at Llaima

Potential avalanches due to glacial melting represent the greatest risk at this point.

03 de Enero de 2008 | 14:04 | Iván Fredes, El Mercurio Online

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MELIPEUCO.- The Llaima volcano was visible this morning in the midst of completely clear skies. The crater showed no signs of activity, except for a faint trail of ash left over from its violent eruption two days ago.


A first report regarding the volcano's eruption status was completed last night by a group of scientists from the National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) along with Jorge Muñoz, the director of the Los Andes del Sur Vulcanological Observatory, and vulcanologist José Antonio Naranja.


According to the report, the eruption was a gentle/moderate Strombolian-type. This classification indicates that the gas column reached between one thousand and three thousand meters over the crater, with intermittent explosions at the summit.


At present, the greatest danger entails possible avalanches caused by the melting of the glaciers from the liquid-hot magma that was emitted from the crater.


This possibility seems to be strongly diminishing however, due to the apparent inactivity of the Llaima volcano. Today, the volcano can be seen with one third of its surface covered in ash and sediment.

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