Calbuco volcano news & activity updates:
Calbuco volcano (Chile): alert level raised due to seismic unrest and inflation
Monday Jun 27, 2016 10:31 AM | BY: T
The alert level was raised a notch last week, as volcanologists from SERNAGEOMIN started to record a significant increase in seismicity associated with a slight inflation of the volcanic edifice,- typical signs of magma intrusion at depth under the volcano.
No particular signs of unrest are (for now) visible on the surface of the volcano which had a spectacular series of eruptions in April last year.
The detected seismic activity is caused by rock-fracturing at depths around 8-10 km, according to the seismologists. The interpretation is that following the eruptions last year, the internal plumbing system of the volcano has depressurized and is now being resupplied by fresh magma, causing an increase of pressure on the rocks, and, hence, small fracturing events to accommodate the new magma. Whether or not this might lead to new activity in a near to medium term future (weeks, months from now), is impossible to say.
As precaution, ONEMI (Chile's Civil Protection) placed the municipalities of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas on "yellow alert", meaning that an emergency committee is being organized in charge of transmitting relevant information to the public.
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Previous news
Thursday, Jun 04, 2015
OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 20-26 May activity at Calbuco fluctuated at low levels and continued to decline. Inclement weather prevented observations of the summit area on most days; white plumes were observed rising 300-400 m and drifting SE during 24-26 May, and incandescence at the crater was observed at night during 25-26 May. According to ONEMI, the number of evacuees within the 20-km evacuation zone remained at 6,685 on 26 May. ... [more]
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Activity has decreased gradually during the past weeks. Only degassing has been occurring at the summit vents lately and tremor levels show a decline. ... [more]
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Thursday, Apr 30, 2015
A strong explosive eruption occurred today (12:10 on 30 April, local time) at the volcano, producing an ash column that rose several kilometers above the summit crater. ... [more]
Monday, Apr 27, 2015
Activity has been lower yesterday, but weak ash emissions continued at least intermittently. ... [more]
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Saturday, Apr 25, 2015
Mild to moderate emissions of ash and incandescent material (probably as strombolian explosions) continue at the summit vent(s). A small ash plume rises approx. 1 km and is currently drifting east. ... [more]
