One of the most active volcanoes in Chile is the stratovolcano Llaima (pronounced Liyama)
It is also one of the biggest volcanoes in the Andes Mountains, and the entire complex covers an area of 500 km².
Up 3.125 asl the volcanoslopes are covered with ice. There have been more than 30 larger eruptions from Llaima
since 1640. The biggest in the 20th century were in 1927 and 1957, the last one in 1984.

Februay 4th, 2008
A minor earthquake forced the authorities to evacuate two families with about 20 people from a place
where they could be in danger, IF the earthquake was leading to an eruption later. No damages or casualties.

January 10th, 2008
Explosions will continue to melt snow on the slopes of the volcano, and authorities are watching the level of the
rivers. There is at present a very high pressure inside the volcano with movement of volcanic gases, which is
blocked from coming out because of large amounts of lava and ash.

There have now been installed seismic stations in Melipeuco and Truful Truful. In addition, other stations
are to be installed to day in Cunco and Araucarias

Ash emitted after each explosion are collected to determine its effect on the environment. Specifically, samples
were obtained from the fields of China Muerta, Valle del Trueno and laguna Galletué. The largest ash-cloud
were visible on monday at a hight of 5.000 m above the summit of Llaima.

2 people were evacuated yesterday from a community with 25 people, but the others said they were high
above the river, so untill further there were no risk for them.

January 9th, 2008
The volcano Llaima yesterday broke its apparent calm of the weekend and forced a column of ash
about 4 thousand meters above the main crater. The dark cloud explosion worried the population of Melipeuco,
20 kilometers away.

The Ozone Monitoring Instruments from NASA, aboard the Aura satellite has detected 16 thousand tons
of sulfur dioxide carried away from the volcano all across Argentina , reaching into the Atlantic Ocean.

At least two of 15 farms had to be evacuated and transferred to Aisen. Looks like they also brough a large number of young salmon, which they apparently are breeding.
(Will try to find out more, having problems with the language.)

Water is still flowing down the slopes and making problems in Perquenco, Padre las Casas, Nueva Imperial, Curacautin and Melipeuco Cunco

Fredag, 4. januar 2008


The rivers Colorado and Captrén are now like two volcanic floodwaters or lahars racing down the slopes
of the volcano. So far fish have been killed and other damages done by the flood have so far amounted to
some $ 100 millions. They have also cut off the road and a bridge in the area of Curacautin.Captren.

All commercial departures have been cancelled at the President Peron Airport on the Argentine side of the
nearby border. Border crossing for vehicles are now allowed again as ashfall have decreased.

January 3rd, 2008

Photo Las Ultimas Noticias, Chile

7 chilean military vehicles were yesterday afternoon, local time, able to get into the National Park by other
roads, and rescue the 53 people trapped near the volcano. No people should now be remaining in the area.
At least two airports on the other side of the border to Argentine were more or less closed yesterday due to heavy ashclouds.

Januar 2nd, 2008
Chilean military vehicles were en route on Wednesday to rescue 53 people trapped in the National Park.
There were no reports of injuries or damage. They were stranded after a local river swelled with meltwater
and cut off road access. Their escape was cut off when roads were flooded by a local river that swelled with meltwater following the eruption, when snow on the slopes of the volcano began to melt.
SANTIAGO (Reuters)

    

  


ictures from a BBC's video of the eruption last night.



Photo: Las Ultimas Noticias, Chile

	Linker:
	Conguillio National Park (english/engelsk)