Smoke has been rising from the Lascar volcano since December, and recently it seems to be becoming more and more active. The Chilean authorities are now reacting and raising the alert level. Miles of smoke and ash clouds are expected, which is why the protection zone will be significantly expanded.
Because of a possible volcanic eruption in northern Chile, the authorities have restricted access to the area around Lascar volcano and raised the alert level. Due to an "increase in seismic activity," the Geology and Mining Authority issued an Orange Alert. The agency predicted eruptions with plumes of smoke and ash more than five kilometers high, ejecting pumice and spreading ash over a wide area.
The increased alert level has resulted in increased surveillance of the volcano. Steps are also being taken to protect surrounding places such as the tourist attraction San Pedro de Atacama, about 70 kilometers away. The authority is also increasing the security zone around the crater from five to ten kilometers, further restricting access.
Lascar Volcano is 5592 meters high and is located about 1600 kilometers north of the Chilean capital Santiago in a sparsely populated area near the Bolivian border. It last erupted in 1993. One of Chile's most active volcanoes in the south of the country, Villarrica, is also currently under observation.
