Geosphere Journal Entry

Geosphere Journal Entry

Red Alert at Chaiten Volcano (March 1, 2010)

A red alert was put into effect at Chile's Chaiten volcano after a spike in activity. The volcano is spewing thick clouds of ash, while its two bulging lava domes keep growing. Scientists say a larger eruption of molten material from the unstable domes can happen at any time.

In May 2008, the volcano erupted for the first time in over two thousand years. The eruption spewed hot lava and thick clouds of ash that rose high above the Andes Mountains. The ash showered down on Chaiten and other nearby towns. More than 7,000 people fled from their homes. The eruption spread a layer of ash up to 15 inches (36 cm) thick across an area of 60 square miles (150 square km). The ash ruined farmland, contaminated drinking water, and endangered thousands of livestock animals.

Chile has more active volcanoes that any other country on the planet except Indonesia. The nation lies in the region where the Nazca tectonic plate subducts or dives below the huge South American plate. Crust from the subducting plate melts and becomes molten magma as it plunges into the hot upper mantle. Eventually, some of the magma makes its way back to the surface through the region's many volcanoes.