Three columns of ash rise above Chilean volcano

With earthquakes shaking the mountain, Chile’s Hudson Volcano released three huge columns of steam and ash to create a cloud more than 3 miles (5 km) high on Friday.

Hudson volcano - Photo by Aysen Regional Government

The steam and ash was coming from three different craters, and melting snow and ice caused the Aysen river to overflow its banks.

The increased activity prompted a warning from Chile’s national geology service that a major eruption could occur within hours or days.

The Hudson volcano lies 1000 miles (1600 km) south of Chile’s capital, Santiago. It last erupted in August 1991, causing millions in damages to local farms and killing an estimated 1.5 million sheep.

That eruption, combined with the even larger Mount Pinatubo eruption earlier in the year, helped cause a worldwide cooling effect over the following years.

The present ash cloud has already spread 7.5 miles southeast toward Argentina, where the towns of Los Antiguos and Perito Moreno are mobilizing for the worst. Ash from a major eruption could cut off supply routes and air travel to far-southern Argentina.

Authorities in both Chile and Argentina are on red alert.

See more:
http://news.yahoo.com/ash-cloud-rises-above-restive-chilean-volcano-132248601.html
Thanks to John Reno for this link