Chile Forum

"Chile’s Chaitén Volcano had been dormant for more than 9,000 years when it erupted in May 2008."

No matter how well a move is planned, some things are beyond us....glad you guys are okay Vicki

I read now that there was an event with the Chaiten volcano, however we didn't see any ash plume. Not that day anyway. I went to Argentina yesterday, and as I was coming back towards the beautiful Futa Valley area, all the way from Trevelin, the entire area where Futa is, was engulfed in a big haze. It appeared to be the old ash being whipped up off mountain ridges.

Today, we can barely see the surround mountain tops from Futa. The big rodeo is tomorrow, yet there is almost no traffic here, most everyone hunkered down inside. I can tell there are clouds and clear sky up above, but only see them in monochrome. I wish that I had been wrong about what these summer months would look like. And I would take a picture, but I just got my camera kinks worked out again. I don't believe this is new ash...just what settled on mountain tops and ridges.

The rodeo preparations continue, so right next door, starting tomorrow should be great fun, although it's a little disconcerting that people have pretty much dropped the habit of wearing masks or goggles.

Vicki

Hi there,

My name is Liz McGregor and I live and work in the Azul half the year. My husband is in Futa now and I am in the states, planning to come down next month. I just found this website/forum and I can't believe I hadn't learned of it before. I deeply appreciate all of the good information... about the volcano specifically. It's the most detailed information that I have been able to find online... so thank you! Just wondering - and possibly the info is on this thread and I missed it - but does anyone know - are citizens and tourists allowed to drive through Chaiten from Hornopieren? I take it the ferries aren't running and I know that the flights are coming into Palena now.

Any info on the car/ferry transport situation in Chaiten would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Liz

Dear Liz,

The ferries are coming to Chaiten with onward buses to La Junta and Palena, and sometimes Futa. If you are coming this way and need a way to Futa, let me know and I will be happy to either help you arrange transport, or even make the trip. Out of curiousity, I'd like to see Chaiten. That's all I know about Chaiten.

Vicki

Thanks Vicki!

Much appreciated. That's incredible that the ferries are running... but I guess that would be a severe lifeline cut if they stopped running them. Hmmm. Thanks for the offer to help arrange transport. My husband has our car and would come get me, but I thank you very much. I agree... I am interested to see it first hand. Hope to meet you down there in the future...
Thanks again for the prompt reply!

Liz

Liz,

I received a message from a Chilean who posts frequently on the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree South America forum and he told me to pass this message regarding the Chaiten ferries on to you and the AllChile forum.

... the ferry Hornopiren Chaiten, the fresh info is that the ferry is running, schedules and prices in http://www.navieraustral.cl/itinerarios.html Also the road Chaiten-Caleta Gonzalo is open
About Chaiten is slowingly recovering with basic amenities as hostels, gas station, shops, the stay is safe and open to any visitor

please send this info to the lady

From a 1/27 translation of a SERNAGEOMIN report:

"The seismicity associated with the eruptive cycle of Chaitén volcano has decreased in the number of events, which suggests a continuation of the extrusion of viscous lava, but with a lower emission rate, in comparison to the past week. However, while the growth of the dome continues, it may generate new collapses which will, possibly, affect the heads of the principal valleys.

In consequence, bearing in mind the persistence of seismic activity associated with the growth of the erupting dome, with the consequent generation of block and ash flows, SERNAGEOMIN maintains Volcanic Red Alert."

I certainly feel deeply for the people in and around Chaiten who have lost homes, business income and their way of life, however to say "open for business" seems a bit irresponsible...with a smoldering, blowing volcano less than 8 kilometers away. I have not been a doom and gloom alarmist during this unique time, but it is a very volatile, dangerous and unpredictable situation in Chaiten. Any invitations to come and stay should be accompanied by the latest SERNAGEOMIN report.

I think many Chileans are so used to the constantly smoking Volcanoes like Villarica and Llaima and others that smoke or erupt relatively gently that it is hard to understand that this is not your typical Chilean volcano. This caldera volcano has the potential to be a catastrophic climate changer, most likely a huge explosion won't occur (any time soon), but it could and Chaiten would be in the path of a major pyroclastic flow. Even if nothing MAJOR happens, until it quiets down, Chaiten remains in the path of lahars, and flooding and further damage to the infrastructure will occur. Those who don't take it seriously are fooling themselves. And nothing should be built on that unstable volcanic mud.It is probably safe to pass through quickly, but Iwouldn't sleep there.

Hey Vicki
new news about Futa at http://volcanism.wordpress.com/
Hope this means a gas station and better prices on flour!

Wow! This would be a mixed blessing! I'm still considering what this might mean.

So, it seems Futa is the capital of Palena.

Yea, I think the last people to get that news where the politicians in the Capital. Anyone that knows the simple logistical and communication challenges of the region knew Futa was going to be new capital. There just was nowhere else to go.

The news in Spanish:

http://www.lasegunda.com/ediciononline/ ... cia=463064

'tis confirmed by several sources. But kudos to Helen, all the way up and over in Puerto Rico for the scoop! Good eye Helen. A Pulitzer to you!