Chaiten Volcano

Chaiten volcano is a volcanic caldera 2 miles in diameter, located 11 miles west of the elongated, ice-capped Michinmahuida volcano and 6 miles northeast of the town of Chaiten, near the Gulf of Corcovado in southern Chile. The most recent eruptive phase of the volcano began on May 2, 2008. According to the Global Volcanism Program, radiocarbon dating of older tephra from the volcano suggests that its last previous eruption had been in 7420 BC ± 75 years. The caldera rim reaches 3,681 ft above sea level. Prior to the current eruption, it was mostly filled by a rhyolite obsidian lava dome that reached a height of 3,156 ft, partly devoid of vegetation. Two small lakes occupied the caldera floor on the west and north sides of the lava dome.

Chaiten Volcano Eruption (Video)