Villarrica is an active volcano, and it made its presence known in southern Chile early Tuesday morning.
Fire and ash shot out of the volcano, reaching heights of 3,300 feet. More than 3,000 people have been evacuated from the local towns of Pucon and Conaripe as a precaution, though Pucon Mayor Carlos Parra says the volcano's activity seems to have calmed down.
The eruption wasn’t entirely unexpected: There have been signs of activity at the summit vent over the last few weeks.
The dramatic images of the eruption demonstrate the power of Villarrica.
A Chilean volcano has erupted...the latest: http://t.co/cXqC9z9CQupic.twitter.com/IbMEnQBkLl
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) March 3, 2015
Chilean redditor, schmick, shared this pic of Villarica Volcano erupting outside their window. http://t.co/MkkJJam7YBpic.twitter.com/Pwsi1oiRXq
— reddit (@reddit) March 3, 2015
Stunning pictures from the eruption of Chile's Villarrica volcano (gallery) http://t.co/fC3yr75y75pic.twitter.com/XCp0PxVdiv
— Guardian World (@guardianworld) March 3, 2015
Geography of #Villarrica volcano: Red pin is city of Villaricca, Chile. Purple pin is volcano 20 miles away. pic.twitter.com/uS1hjoq07O
— Mike Redding (@ReddingWriting) March 3, 2015
A photo collection of past eruptions at #Villarrica#volcano: http://t.co/qN7JVC1gvI photo taken 1949. pic.twitter.com/eC0WpEMn7a
— Janine Krippner (@janinekrippner) March 3, 2015