Villarrica, Chile’s 9,000 foot volcano blew its top early morning Tuesday, March 3rd.
The volcano, located in Chile’s central valley spewed forth smoke and lava as the small city of Pucon watched on. Pucon is home to some 22,000 residents, several thousand of which had to be evacuated.
Visiting Australian tourist Travis Armstrong said in a telephone interview:
“It was the most amazing scene I’ve ever seen.” Armstrong said “I’ve never seen a volcano erupt and it was spewing lava and ash hundreds of meters into the air. Lightning was striking down at the volcano from the ash cloud that formed from the eruption.”
Villarrica is one of thousands of volcanoes of Chile; a nation that resides on the infamous “Ring of Fire” referring to a perimeter of land around the Pacific stretching from Asia to South America that is known for is pertinacity for earthquakes and volcanoes.
Officials remain vigilant as the lava flow as caused flooding and the danger of mudslides.
