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Chilean towns evacuated after mudflows detected in wake of volcanic blasts

Last Updated Friday, April 24, 2015 8:16PM EDT
ENSENADA, Chile -- Authorities urged 2,000 people living near the Calbuco volcano to evacuate Friday after potentially devastating mudflows of volcanic debris were detected in a nearby river, the result of two huge eruptions this week that sent ash across large swaths of southern South America.
Chilean officials said the evacuations were precautionary but necessary because flows of volcanic mud, known as lahars, are capable of levelling anything in their path once in motion.
The area had been evacuated after the volcano first erupted Wednesday afternoon, but by Friday many people had begun to return home even as Calbuco continued to billow lesser ejections of smoke and ash. Authorities said the evacuees from the towns of Chamiza, Lago Chapo and Correntoso would stay at shelters in the nearby city of Puerto Montt.

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http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/chilean-towns-evacuated-after-mudflows-detected-in-wake-of-volcanic-blasts-1.2343238

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Calbuco volcano erupts twice, spewing ash over Chile

ENSENADA, Chile -- Twin blasts from the Calbuco volcano in southern Chile sent vast clouds of ash into the sky, covering this small town with thick soot and raising concerns Thursday that the dust could contaminate water, cause respiratory illnesses and ground more flights.
Ensenada, in the foothills of the volcano, looked like a ghost town but for an occasional horse or dog roaming its only street. Most of the 1,500 residents had evacuated after the initial eruption Wednesday, with only about 30 people refusing to leave out of worry for their homes and animals.

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http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/calbuco-volcano-erupts-twice-spewing-ash-over-chile-1.2341485