Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One of the volcanoes in the Caulle Cordon of southern Chile erupted violently, billowing smoke and ash high into the sky and prompting more than 3,500 people living nearby to evacuate.
There were no reports of injuries.
Authorities initially said the Puyehue volcano was involved, but later said the eruption was occurring about 2{ miles (four kilometers) from that peak.
A rift more than six miles (10 kilometers) long and three miles (five kilometers) across was torn in the earth's crust, officials said Saturday night.
Authorities had put the area on alert on Saturday morning after a flurry of earthquakes, and the eruption began in the afternoon. The National Emergency Office said it recorded an average of 230 tremors an hour.
About 600 people were evacuated when the first alert went up and hundreds more left their homes after the eruption began.
Rodrigo Ubilla, Chile's undersecretary of labor, said some people near the volcano had decided not to leave their homes because they didn't want to abandon their animals.
Wind carried ash across the Andes to the Argentine tourist town of San Carlos de Bariloche, which had to close its airport.
Officials warned residents of the Bariloche area to take precautions against a possible prolonged ashfall. They urged people to stock up on food and water and to stay home.
The eruption is nearly 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) south of Chile's national capital, Santiago.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments