First obseervations by tourists and park rangers indicate lava flows on the SE flanks of the volcano in the sector of Cinco Cerros. While there are no property or people threatened by the eruption, there's some concern for the endemic species of giant turtles called "Vicina" living exclusively on the slopes of Cerro Azul. The last eruption of Cerro Azul in June 1998 killed a small number of them.
This species had been almost extinguished during the 1950-60, but recovered with the help of reintroduction and protection, to reach its current population estimated to be between 1100 à 1200 individuals. [less]

Some field observations made by our team during May 23 and 24: one of the several vents aligned on the impressive fissure below the E side of SE crater was still spattering and erupting small strombolian fountains at irregular intervals of 30-60 minutes. Another two vents just above it were emitting ash, dark fragments and occasionally glowing bombs at less infrquent intervals. The active vent at times shows powerful explosions throwing bombs to several hundred meters height. One of these was witnessed at (too) close range on May 25 in the evening, but it was possible to shelter from falling blocks under a huge block thrown out at the opening of the fissure. The lava flow continues weakly, with a barely incandescent front of tumbling, glowing blocks at the active front on the steep wall of the Valle del Bove.
As of today, the eruption seems to be going on, but judging from afara, the emission rate seems to have further decreased. [less]

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Mehr Informationen finden Sie hier (zur Zeit noch nur auf Englisch). [less]

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On the other hand, it seems likely that this extremely short eruption is only a precursor to another one following in the near future, in particular when one takes the intense recent events of ground fracturing and seismic activity into account.
On May 14, 5 of the originally ca. 15 active vents on the originally ca. 600 m long fissure (personal observations by Rosario) were still active. On May 15, only 3 of them and on May 16-17, spattering and lava emission were already very low. On May 17, some powerful ash emissions, perhaps related to internal collapse events were observed from the pit crater at the E base of the SE cone. [less]

SERNAGEOMIN reported that on 7 May, seismicity from Chaitén increased and a large explosion was registered. On 8 May small pyroclastic flows traveled E and contacted the Rayas River, possibly causing steam plumes. During a break in the cloud cover, the ash-and-gas plume, present since 2 May, was seen rising to an altitude of 15.1 km (50,000ft) a.s.l. and drifting NE. The W side of the plume was darker and denser. ONEMI (Oficina Nacional de emergencia - Ministerio del Interior) reported ashfall in multiple areas on 7, 8, and 10 May. [less]

Ash fall has covered the area of Randazzo by about 1 cm. Still as a result of the brief violent precursor eruption from SE crater on May 10, the airport of Catania is closed. Access to the moutain has been closed at 1200 m on all roads. The bad weather at present does not allow detailed information. We are on our way to Etna to report more in the following days. [less]

Probably new, strong activities will taking place soon... [less]

The subplinian eruption of Chaitén volcano on May 2, 2008 followed increased seismicity in the region the day before. A pulsating white to gray ash plume rose to an estimated altitude greater than 21 km (68,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SSE. The Alert Level was raised to Red.
Based on observations of satellite imagery and pilot reports, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported an ash plume at altitudes of 13.7-16.8 km (45,000-55,000 ft) a.s.l. drifted NE. According to news articles, Chile's government declared a state of emergency on 2 May and several hundred people were evacuated from the town of Chaitén (10 km SE). The eruption was initially thought to have been from Minchinmávida, about 17 km ENE, which last erupted in 1835. [less]

Kalo Pasha! Χρόνια πολλά! [less]

The volcano is located at 1500 m below sea level and has a summit caldera measuring 10 kilometers in diameter. The great depth of its location makes it unlikely that eruptions would have major effect on Iceland's mainland, except perhaps causing earthquakes.
According to the press article, the researchers plan in 2009 to use a small submarine to undertake more detailed research of the underwater volcano. [less]