Chile's Villarrica Volcano on Amber Alert: A Potential Threat Looms

By BNN Newsroom
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40 seconds ago



Chile's Villarrica Volcano on Amber Alert: A Potential Threat Looms


An Emerging Concern
The authorities in Chile have raised the alert level for the Villarrica volcano from yellow to amber, signifying a surge in the volcanic activity that could potentially lead to an eruption. This decision comes in the wake of intensified seismic activity reported around the volcano, indicating potential instability within the volcano.

Villarrica is situated in the southern region of Chile and is renowned as one of the most active volcanoes in the country. Standing tall at 2,847 meters, this volcano last erupted in 2015, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people from the surrounding areas. The recent escalation in the alert level is a proactive measure aimed at safeguarding the local communities and tourists who frequently visit the area.

Continuous Monitoring by Sernageomin
The Chilean National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) has been vigilantly monitoring the situation. They have observed a rise in the frequency and intensity of seismic activity in recent days, including tremors associated with the movement of magma within the volcano. Experts believe these signals indicate a higher likelihood of an eruption in the near future.

Signs of Potential Volcanic Activity
Seismic activity is not the sole indicator of potential volcanic activity. Other signs such as increased gas emissions, deformation of the volcanic edifice, and changes in the behavior of the volcano’s crater lake have also been observed. These are all indicators that the volcano might erupt, prompting authorities to elevate the alert level.

More:
https://bnn.network/world/chile/chiles-villarrica-volcano-on-amber-alert-a-potential-threat-looms/

Here's a short video of one of its eruptions eight years ago: