The Nevados de Chillán volcanic complex, in the mountains of the Ñuble region, recorded a new explosion this Tuesday, October 13. The column of material dispersed southward.
BioBioChile, citing its partner outlet La Discusión, reported that the column reached about 600 meters in height and placed the episode in the morning. La Tercera reported a different figure, an approximate height of 500 meters, and dispersion toward the south and southeast. According to that outlet, the event was recorded at 12:24.
The National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin), through its Southern Andes Volcano Observatory (Ovdas), issued a Special Volcanic Activity Report (REAV). The report linked the episode to consecutive explosions emitting pyroclasts, meaning fragments of rock and ash expelled by the volcano.
Monitoring stations also detected a long-period (LP) earthquake, linked to the movement of fluids within the volcanic system. BioBioChile specified that the reduced displacement was 70 square centimeters. According to La Discusión, the phenomenon reflects an increase in the volcano's surface activity.
The residents most exposed live in Pinto and Coihueco, the two mountain municipalities closest to the complex. The Ñuble Regional Presidential Delegation and the Regional Directorate of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) maintained the preventive early warning for both, in effect since June 15 and for as long as conditions warrant.
Sernageomin is keeping the volcano under a yellow technical alert. The 2-kilometer safety perimeter around Emission Center 3, the active crater, also remains in effect, with entry prohibited.
Sernageomin and Senapred do not rule out further events of similar or greater energy. Sernageomin said it would maintain continuous monitoring of the volcano and coordinate with the Regional Disaster Prevention and Response System "to provide timely warnings" in the event of an emergency. The sources do not report evacuations or ashfall in populated areas.
