Active but quiet

The Andean mountain range located at 4,600 meters above the sea level in Region II of the country recorded four ash and particle emissions last April, that is, an expected behavior, as explained by experts of the Geology Department of Universidad Católica del Norte, that have been and are monitoring it on a permanent basis.

According to information provided by volcanologists, Láscar has a 5.8 year eruptive rate since 1848. One of the most significant material emissions took place on April 1993, when the volcano launched dense smoke columns, which did not affect or endanger populations from surrounding villages (Talabre and Toconao).

This year 2006, ash emissions which formed an around 3,000 meter high smoke column were registered, and were then moved by wind to the Argentinean side, as reported by the National Department of Emergencies (Onemi).

However, in view of constant increased or decreased volcanic activity and anticipating any situation that could endanger physical integrity of people who live, work, and stay here as tourists, Municipality of San Pedro de Atacama has forbidden, through the District Emergency Committee, all kinds of expeditions and approach to Láscar volcano sector during May.

Police station of Toconao will – for such purposes – be in charge of controlling the road leading to Talabre and active mountain surroundings.


Monitoring

Onemi, together with volcanologists and UCN professionals, are implementing behavioral monitoring and studies using seismometers installed in different areas of the volcano in order to measure telluric degree recorded in the surroundings.

University experts are compiling samples of elements that were expelled by the volcano through eruptions. “These samples will be processed and analyzed by our department so as to know what happened, and to project the behavior of the mountain boiler located 70 Km from San Pedro de Atacama”, explained Eduardo Medina, member of UCN geology professional team.

According to the professional, different eruptions recorded recently in the crater “were expected, in consistency with studies conducted previously using the same sample collection and material analysis method”, he said.

This will be the same measure to be adopted and, therefore, they expect to surround the active mountain to reach Laguna Legía, which is very close to the eruption site, but on the opposite face of the nearest village.

Answering the question on whether there is any chance of major eruption implying expelling  lava or liquid caloric material, the professional explained that “there is a very little chance to experience such a situation. Anyway, nothing may be disregarded, but development of an event of such nature is quite unlikely. This is due to chemical conditions existing within the volcano, in which magma or liquid material is thick, minimizing possibilities of a major eruption with such characteristics”, expressed Medina.

veronica@sanpedroatacama.com
May 2006