Calbuco volcano in Chile erupts for third time

PUERTO OCTAY, Chile, April 30 (UPI) -- The Calbuco volcano in southern Chile erupted Wednesday for a third time, confirming speculation and triggering evacuations.

The third eruption was confirmed by the Communication Department of the Chilean Air Force.

"Contingency plans are all operating ," Interior Undersecretary Mahmud Aleuy said, adding that officials are monitoring current situations in the north and south of Chile where other volcanoes have presented seismic activity.

The volcano first erupted April 22 and a subsequent eruption occurred hours later.

It was the first time the volcano, which is located near the town of Puerto Octay in Llanquihue province, has erupted since 1961. Calbuco is one of 90 active volcanoes in Chile.

About 6,000 people living in the 12-mile exclusion zone around the volcano were evacuated after the first eruption. They were asked to leave again on Tuesday.

A column of ash shot up more than nine miles into the air, creating a plume that could be seen for miles. Towns as far away as 70 miles -- including some in Argentina -- were covered in ash.

"Chilean Air Force has conducted flights over the new eruption of the Calbuco volcano," a tweet by its communication department reads.