Violent Eruption Of Calbuco Volcano In Videos: Will There Be A Third Eruption?

Chile's Calbuco volcano erupted on Wednesday, the first time it burst into life after five decades. A second eruption occurred around 1 a.m. on Thursday, which produced swarms of lightning storm lighting up the sky and prompting the evacuation of about 5,000 people.

Authorities declared a state of emergency and had an army evacuate the 13-mile radius around the volcano.

It appears, however, that the volcano, which last exploded more than 50 years ago, isn't done yet. Chile's National Geology and Mines Service has warned that there could be a third eruption after the volcano produced a show of volcanic lighting and exploded lava, a phenomenon that experts attributed to the emission of large amounts of molten rocks and ash that are charged with static electricity.

President Michelle Bachelet also admitted that it isn't clear how the situation would evolve since it is pretty unpredictable.

The unwanted impacts of the eruptions are now felt. Massive ash clouds, for instance, have already forced airlines to cancel flights and also posed healththreats. People have been advised to stay indoors to avoid inhaling the dust particles. No injuries have yet been reported, though.

The 21-year-old mountain climber Waldo Flores, who was first reported missing, was eventually found alive. He was taken to a hospital for a check-up.

"The ash might damage crops, animal feed, bridges, roads, people's work routines, tourism and especially their health," said Bachelet, who urged residents to use protective masks that authorities have distributed in both Chile and Argentina.

Calbuco did not show signs of erupting until minutes before it exploded, with volcano eruption monitoring systems unable to pick up anything. Volcano watchers were actually watching on another volcano, Villarica, albeit experts said that the eruption of Calbuco should not come as a surprise.

Florent Brenguier, a seismologist from the University of Grenoble in France, said that the volcano was not dormant. It was active, having regular gas and smoke emissions. Brenguier said that five decades between eruptions is considered very short in a volcano's life. He added that the volcanic activity that currently occurs may last up to weeks.

Experts have warned that the third eruption could be a more aggressive one. Bachelet, however, said that there are no problems with water, supplies and sewage and that the problem is a respiratory one posed by the threats of inhaling the ash. There are also concerns that the ash could cause environmental contamination.