- Title: Chile ski region on alert as volcanoes rumble
- Date: 9th August 2018
- Summary: NEVADOS DEL CHILLAN, CHILE (RECENT - AUGUST 1, 2018) (REUTERS) PAN FROM HELICOPTER PANEL TO AERIAL VIEW OF NEVADOS DE CHILLAN VOLCANIC COMPLEX IN THE CHILEAN ANDES VARIOUS, AERIAL VIEWS OF NICANOR VOLCANO SMOKING NEVADOS DEL CHILLAN, CHILE (RECENT - AUGUST 1, 2018) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) FISHEYE VIEW OF HELICOPTER INTERIOR NEVADOS DEL CHILLAN, CHILE (RECENT - AUGUST 1,
- Embargoed: 23rd August 2018 22:15
- Keywords: Volcano eruption Chile volcanic complex geology ski resort skiing natural disaster
- Location: NEVADOS DE CHILLAN, SAN FABIAN DE ALICO, & VALLE LAS TRANCAS, CHILE
- City: NEVADOS DE CHILLAN, SAN FABIAN DE ALICO, & VALLE LAS TRANCAS, CHILE
- Country: Chad
- Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Earthquakes/Volcanoes/Tsunami,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA0018SGV96R
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Even as the ground rumbles under their skis and smoke rises from a mountaintop, tourists continue to hit the slopes on the slopes surrounding Chile's Nevados de Chillan volcano.
On Wednesday (August 8), a new eruption at the Nicanor volcano sent a column of ash some 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) into the air. The spectacular image was caught by skiers ascending the mountain on a lift.
Local authorities in the towns downhill from the volcanoes have been working to educate the public and create plans in the event a larger eruption is on the horizon.
San Fabian de Alico is a small town nestled in the Andean foothills and one of the population centers closest to the slumbering giants. "As for precautionary measures, we have a community emergency plan that was put together in co-ordination with all the organizations and public bodies, which we call the ABC of emergencies (like the) federal police, fire-fighters," said the town's emergency manager, Hugo Gutierrez.
But, the unknown still makes residents nervous. "There is an uncertainty that when something happens (with the volcano), or if anything really happens, are we going to be prepared or not?" said local resident Nicol Nunez.
Back up on the mountain, though, the eruption seems to have barely registered with the winter sports enthusiasts enjoying the slopes. Chilean skier Ximena Martinez said the latest eruption was a little stronger than the others, but was not concerned given that the eruptions have been going on all year.
Chile's Nevados de Chillan volcanic complex, made up of 18 volcanoes, is currently under an "orange alert" after experts determined that a large scale eruption could occur within days or months.
Last month, Chilean authorities began deploying emergency officials and installed checkpoints surrounding the volcano when seismic activity suggested a possible major eruption could be brewing.
Since 1861, Chillan has erupted about a dozen times. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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