The natural world never ceases to amaze. Sometimes the results can be catastrophic, but other times we are lucky enough to observe from a distance and marvel at the wonder of it all.

The same can’t be said for residents near the Calbuco volcano in southern Chile, where authorities have had to evacuate more than 4 000 people within a 20 km radius. As yet there are no reports of any casualties but residents remain fearful. The BBC reports:

“I had never seen this before. It scares you in the beginning. You start to wonder what is going to happen to you,” said one unnamed woman…

Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo called on people affected to “remain calm and stay informed”.

The volcano erupted twice in the space of a few hours, which is strange considering it had been dormant for decades and was not under any kind of observation at the time. Volcanologists are usually aware of a volcano playing up in advance of an eruption, especially one so close to where people reside.

Chile has in excess of 500 potentially active volcanoes, which may make its citizens somewhat apprehensive. I guess every country has its problems then.

[source:bbc]