Chilean authorities have raised the alert level to orange due to an increase in the activity of the Láscar volcano, in the Antofagasta region, and have extended the safety perimeter to 10 kilometers.
The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED) and the National Geology and Mining Service (SERNAGEOMIN) have warned of the possibility of «eruptive pulses with columns exceeding 5 kilometers in height, with projection of ballistic blocks and dispersion of ash in the surroundings», according to the Chilean newspaper ‘El Mercurio’.
An increase in seismicity has been registered, mainly that associated with the dynamics of fluids inside the volcanic system of the Long Period type», the authorities point out. It should be recalled that the yellow alert has been in force since January 25.
Likewise, the authorities have increased the security perimeter to 10 kilometers, which mainly affects tourist and grazing activities.
There is «the need to maintain a preventive action before possible effects that could generate a superficial process in the volcano», according to the official communiqué.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)