The volcano Calbuco in southern Chile has erupted for the first time in 54 years. Cameras caught it as it happened, up-close and with lightning bolts striking over the erupting lava. A thick plume of ash was sent down toward nearby Ensenada. But no injuries or deaths have been reported.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports:
As night fell, about 4000 people had so far moved out of the area, an evacuation radius of 20 kilometres has been established and classes have been cancelled in surrounding towns, authorities said.
The last major eruption of Cabulco occurred in 1961. Winds are expected to carry the ash eastward toward Argentina.