Volcano warning after 160 earthquakes in just two hours

A fly of seismic activity that caused in just two hours of 160 earthquakes in the Laguna del Maule -volcanic field in Central Chile has placed the authorities attentive.

160 Quakes took place in the area earlier this week during a two -hour period, which served as a clear reminder of the active nature of the volcanic complex.

Laguna del Maule, located near the Argentine border, about 300 km south of the Chilean capital, is an expansive volcanic landscape. The complex covers 500 square kilometers and consists of numerous volcanic domes, cones, lavastrome and an estimated 130 vents.

However, Chile’s national geology and mining service – Sernageomin – maintained a green warning level, which means no immediate danger. The earthquake was also low size.

The recent seismic swarm underlines the underlying activity of the volcano. “These are signs that the volcano is active, it has magma moving inside, and it can lead to a moderate size event in the future,” explained Ayaz Alam, a geologist and professor at the University of Santiago of Chile.

However, he warned that the prediction of the timing of any possible eruption remains impossible.

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Alam noted that the swarms of the swarm is relatively low powers distinguished from those that occur next to fault lines. Volcanic seismic activity stems from the movement of magma, rather than the clash of tectonic plates.

The Chilean disaster agency Senapred confirmed its commitment to continuing monitoring and cooperation with regional authorities, ensuring the preparedness for any possible emergency.

The biggest tremor registered during the flock was a size of 2.1, but the relatively young volcanic field has shown several signs of activity over the past few years.

Daniel Diaz, a geophysicist and volcanologist at the University of Chile, says the area is very unique because it does not have a single volcanic structure, but dozens around the lake, some of which have formed over the past 2000 years.

“This (volcanic) system is fairly recent and so we expect there to be activity,” Diaz said. “But it is not concentrated in one structure or cone, but around the zone the Laguna del maule surrounds.”

Laguna del Maule is considered by academics and experts as one of the most dangerous volcanoes of the southern Andes volcanic belt and is the third most dangerous volcano of Argentina.