Volcano eruption poses risk for salmon hatcheries
Late yesterday afternoon Mt. Llaima, a volcano of 3,125 meters located in a national park in the centre of Chile’s 9th region, began to rumble and violently expulse solid rock, ash and lava 1,000 metres from the height of the principal crater. According to El Mercurio, Mt. Llaima has erupted at least 60 times throughout recorded history, and this eruption so far is one of the more dangerous. Although the following eruptions today have been less intense – shooting particulate matter only 500 meters, the national authorities declared all surrounding roadways and bridges to be on yellow alert and the Conguillio National Park has been entirely evacuated. 53 people were rescued early this morning following a terrifying night spent in the midst of the eruptions. Melipeuco, the town located closest to Mt. Llaima is also an important town for some of the larger producers of smolt, and the situation of these hatcheries will be released as soon as information is available.
