Volcano eruption forces evacuations in Chile

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

* Perilous Times

Volcano eruption forces evacuations in Chile*

* Story Highlights
* Officials say they've evacuated dozens of people near Llaima volcano
* Authorities monitor situation to see if more evacuations needed in
southern Chile
* Llaima eruption in January forced hundreds of tourists to evacuate
from national park

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) -- A red stream of lava flowed down the flanks of
the Llaima volcano in southern Chile on Tuesday, and officials said they
evacuated dozens of people.

Emergency Bureau Director Carmen Fernandez said some 50 people live in
the "first risk ring" around the 9,400-foot (3,120-meter) volcano.

Bureau volcanologist Juan Cayupi said officials were monitoring the
situation to determine if they will need to expand the evacuation to
small villages in the region south of Santiago.

Llaima is one of Chile's most-active volcanoes. It erupted for about two
weeks in January, forcing hundreds of tourists to evacuate from
Conguillio National Park but causing no damage.

The long-dormant Chaiten volcano farther south erupted in May, forcing
the evacuation of some 4,500 people from the nearby town of Chaiten.

Since then, the town has been largely destroyed by ash and by water from
a river partially blocked by volcanic debris.