The Calbuco volcano surprised Chile with three violent eruptions after half a century of inactivity, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people. Tourist activities in the Patagonian Los Lagos region were also suspended as ash spreads across the Andes Mountains to other Southern Cone republics of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Calbuco - which has remained dormant for 54 years - has emanated gigantic columns of gases and incandescent material over the cities of Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and surrounding villages, located about 1,000 km south of Santiago.
“We are still in the task of rescuing people who may be isolated and need support,” said President Michelle Bachelet during an emergency visit to Puerto Varas.
Yet the awakening of the Calbuco volcano has yet to cause injuries. One climber reported missing was quickly found alive, while about 5,000 people have been evacuated from a radius of 20 km exclusion around the eruption.
While local populations flee, hundreds of tourists and journalists from around the world continue to marvel at the beauty of large lakes, rivers and abundant vegetation that prevails in the region, now armed with cameras pointed attentively to solid castings of volcanic dark plum grey.
Sleeping giant

Ash spreads across the Andes Mountains to other Southern Cone republics of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Photo (c) NASA
The eruption took people by surprise because there was little prior warning. Or at least, the people of southern Chile had their eyes on another more threatening volcano, Villarrica, which has remained under orange alert for weeks.
Calbuco volcano’s phenomenon, however forced the government to declare a red alert in Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas. This rating nears a “disaster area” title, which means that the armed forces would take control of the area in order to provide aid.
School classes were also suspended and Puerto Montt’s local airport canceled 20 domestic flights. Yet by the afternoon of the second eruption, LAN Chile airline announced that it would be operating normally in the region. This disregards that ashes continue to fall in Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, as well as parts of neighboring Argentina and Uruguay.
Ashes in Argentina

Neuquen, Chubut and Rio Negro were the most affected Argentine provinces followed by Mendoza and La Pampa. Photo (c) Infobae 2015
The ash cloud arrived in Buenos Aires last week on Friday (almost 2,000 kilometers of Calbuco volcano). Several airlines suspended their flights, while the northern region of Patagonia was covered by ash and a gradual improvement is expected if no new outbreaks occur. Several other flights by Air France, Delta and American Airlines en route for the capital were also suspended or diverted to other airports in the region.
Other provinces were additionally affected. Neuquen, Chubut and Rio Negro were the most affected followed by Mendoza and La Pampa. The airports of Chapelco (San Martin de los Andes), San Carlos de Bariloche and Neuquen continued to be closed by the presence of ash in the atmosphere.
Chilean volcanic eruption meets Argentine politics and business

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner - from her airplane on the way back from Russia - stated that the security ministers, Maria Cecilia Rodriguez and Health, Daniel Gollan, and Secretary of Environment, Sergio Lorusso, were to travel to such affected areas. Photo (c) Telam 2013
On a governmental note, Neuquen considered the suspension of provincial elections scheduled for Sunday due to the environmental crisis. Meanwhile, the tourism promotion agency of Bariloche, a city 1,621 kilometers south of Buenos Aires and just 100 from Calbuco and one of the most visited destinations in Argentina, reported today that they would work to “alleviate contingency” and its effects on the domestic travel sector.
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner - from her airplane on the way back from Russia - stated that the security ministers, Maria Cecilia Rodriguez and Health, Daniel Gollan, and Secretary of Environment, Sergio Lorusso, were to travel to such affected areas. Furthermore, the national government - according to Cabinet Chief Anibal Fernandez - sent volcano masks and goggles to help residents guard against falling ash.
Effects in Uruguay

While the Oriental Republic dawned with clear skies on Thursday after concerns of the entire territory and its agriculture being effected, by mid-morning Montevideo witnessed only mist and forecasts of possible storms, both suspected to be a result of the ash. Photo (c) Sinae 2015
Following the presence of the dust cloud from Calbuco volcano, Uruguayan authorities suspended the arrival of two international flights scheduled to land in the capital(one from Paris and the other Miami). While the Oriental Republic dawned with clear skies on Thursday after concerns of the entire territory and its agriculture being effected, by mid-morning Montevideo witnessed only mist and forecasts of possible storms, both suspected to be a result of the ash.
Cloud in Paraguay

The cloud appeared over the southern Department of Misones at 7,500 meters high. Photo (c) Informa Paraguay 2015
Following Calbuco’s third eruption two days ago, Paraguay’s governmental Office of Natural Disaster Prevention (Oficina de Prevencion de Desastres Naturales; OPAD) has also reported the presence of a Chilean volcanic ash cloud over the landlocked republic. The cloud appeared over the southern Department of Misones at 7,500 meters high.
The government of President Horacio Cartes, however has assured that the presence of this phenomenon is not a risk to the population due to its extreme height, high degree of dispersion and low concentration.
Chilean authorities maintain a red alert in effect on a perimeter of 20 kilometers around the Andes Mountain volcano .