Chile Volcano Eruption 2015: Calbuco Volcano Erupts Again, Prompting More Evacuations

The Calbuco volcano in Chile erupted Thursday, forcing the evacuation of residents within 20 kilometers (12 miles), as ordered by the National Office of Emergency of the Interior Ministry, reports Agence France-Presse. ONEMI, as it is known, is the Chilean government agency dedicated to aiding recovery efforts during natural disasters. It was the second time in eight days the volcano erupted.

Photos of the volcano were posted across social media moments after the eruption.

On April 23, the first eruption rained heavy ash on areas in the volcano’s vicinity. Argentina’s meteorological service said the ash cloud may have shot as high as 40,000 feet. The explosion lasted 90 minutes, and there were reports of lava flowing into Chapo Lake.

Now the town of Ensenada, at the base of the volcano, is devoid of people and buried in ash. Most of its 1,500 residents quickly abandoned the village, leaving only 30 people -- and a few animals -- behind.

The Calbuco volcano has had at least 10 eruptions since 1837; some of the largest in southern Chile took place in 1893-1894. It last erupted in 1972.