Evacuations continue in Chile as the Chaitén volcano spewed ash into the sky anew yesterday, creating a 6 mile high plume visible from 150 miles away. Chilean government officials were alarmed by the level of volcanic activity and stepped up efforts to evacuate towns within a 30 mile radius of the peak.

"The situation has changed suddenly. Today the volcano is erupting with pyroclastic material on a different scale." Rodrigo Rojas, Chilean National Emergency Official

A growing layer of ash, now 15 inches thick, is settling over the ground, houses and cars for 60 miles in any direction from the mountain. In addition to creating a breathing hazard, the ash has decimated farmlands, killed livestock and contaminated water supplies.

Over 4,200 people have been evacuated from Chaitén, while the nearby town of Futaleufu is in the process of clearing out through a combination of buses and Navy warships.

Despite the mandatory evacuation, about two dozen rural farmers have refused to abandon their homes and livestock.

An estimated 25,000 head of cattle and sheep are at risk of dying, either from consuming contaminated plants and water or from respiratory failure. Experts believe that the soil in the region will need decades to recover before it is viable for farming again.

Sleeping Giant

The Chaitén volcano was dormant for over 9,000 years and after 5 days of rumbling, groans, ash and fire, experts predict it isn’t done just yet.

"There could be a major explosion that could collapse the volcano’s cone," said Luis Lara of the National Geologic and Mining Service. A more possible scenario is that the eruptive column could collapse "and that is sufficient material to be displaced down its sides and into areas nearby," he added. "A dense cloud of pyroclastic material could move down its slopes, and that causes much more damage (than a spray of lava)."

Ash in Buenos Aires

The National Meteorological Service (SMN) confirmed this morning that ash carried by the Southeast winds has reached as far as the southern tip of Buenos Aires. On the western side of Argentina a cloud of ash has moved into Ingeniero Jacobacci and is heading towards Bariloche, Rio Black and Villa La Angostura. The regional airport is still technically open, however no airline is willing to fly in the current conditions.