Waking up with vengeance: Chile's most active Villarrica volcano erupts again

[caption id=“attachment_2180749” align=“aligncenter” width=“940”] Villarrica volcano in Southern Chile recently erupted after a brief period of inactivity. The explosion resulted in a massive surge of lava into the air and its surroundings, causing authorities to call for alert level orange, which is the second to the highest ranking. (Reuters image)[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2180753” align=“aligncenter” width=“940”] The Villarrica expelled smoke as scientists warn the concentration of lava, contained within the structure, is close to the crater. On March 3, a short-lived eruption of ash and rock led to the evacuation of thousands from the nearby area. Authorities have restricted access to the area within 5 kilometres of the crater. (Reuters image)[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2180755” align=“aligncenter” width=“940”] The 9,000 foot (2,847-metre) Villarrica volcano in Chile’s central valley, 400 miles (670 kilometres) south of Santiago, sits above the small city of Pucon, which has a population of about 22,000 people. The series of the volcanoes’ latest eruptions started on 7 February, causing minor ash plumes and sporadic explosions, which made the authorities raise a yellow level alert. (Reuters image)[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2180757” align=“aligncenter” width=“940”] Villarrica Volcano is the one of the most active volcanoes in Chile. It is a snow-capped stratovolcano that measures 2,860 metres high. It is considered as one of the most active volcanoes with a record of 66 eruptions since the Europeans arrived in the country. (Reuters image)[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2180759” align=“aligncenter” width=“940”] An aerial view shows smoke and ash rising from Villarrica Volcano. Villarrica Volcano which erupted earlier this month before settling down, has entered a more active phase again, expelling gas and ash into the atmosphere, Chilean authorities. (Reuters image)[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2180761” align=“aligncenter” width=“940”] The Villarrica volcano went quiet on after the eruption that sent a plume of ash and lava high into the sky in the early hours put Chile on high alert. (Reuters image)[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2180763” align=“aligncenter” width=“940”] Ash and lava spew from the Villarrica volcano, as seen from Pucon on 3 March. Volcano Villarrica in southern Chile erupted in the early hours of Tuesday, sending a plume of ash and lava high into the sky, and forcing the evacuation of nearby communities. (Reuters image)[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2180765” align=“aligncenter” width=“940”] Major eruptions in 1985 and 1992 added lava layers and two new cones to Villarrica. Historical records of this volcano’s eruptions go back to 1558. (Reuters image)[/caption]