Southern Chile is on red alert after twin eruptions of the Calbuco volcano, with authorities warning that a third and "even more aggressive" eruption could be imminent. Two earthquakes, the bigger of which had a magnitude of 3, occurred in the area last night, reports the Los Angeles Times. The volcano's first eruption in 42 years produced some spectacular images, but it has also produced vast clouds of ash that authorities fear could contaminate water and badly disrupt aviation, as well as cause health problems, the AP reports.
The ash has already coated the streets of cities more than 50 miles away in Argentina and caused the border to be closed in several places, according to the AP. Thousands of people have been evacuated from a 13-mile exclusion zone around the volcano, though the area is relatively lightly populated and there have been no deaths or injuries reported, the Times notes. A missing hiker was found alive yesterday. (More volcano stories.)