San Cristobal volcano (Nicaragua) eruption update: near continuous ash eruptions, evacuations

The series of small ash explosions starting on 25 Dec at around 20h00 local time continued throughout the night and increased in intensity during the morning of 26 Dec. Activity decreased around noon yesterday, but resumed again in the afternoon with 4 more explosions between 13:25 - 16:11 h local time at intervals of 20-60 minutes, accompanied by strong pulses of tremor.
More ash emissions and explosions have followed and are at times near continuous. The height of the ash columns is reported to be about 500-800 m above the crater. VAAC Washington was able to observe the ash plumes on satellite and issued warnings about ash plumes at 14,000 (4.2 km) altitude.
Light (few mm) ash fall has occurred in up to 6 km distance from the volcano including in several inhabited areas located mainly NW, W, SW and S of the volcano, namely in El Viejo, Grecia No. 1 and 4, Las Rojas, Banderas, and Abraham Rugama.
INETER recommends to the population to protect the water supply sources and children in particular from inhaling ash, and has demanded air traffic control to deviate flight paths in the area.
The Nicaraguan president has declared orange alert for the departement of Chinandega and authorized the preventive measure to evacuate families living within 3 km radius from the volcano. More than 200 families were reported to have auto-evacuated out of fear the eruption might intensify.

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• INETER
• SINAPRED activa vigilancia al Volcán San Cristóbal (SINAPRED)
• Actividad en el San Cristóbal se mantiene (El Nuevo Diario)

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