Chaitén, 2008

The Chilean volcano entered a new eruptive phase for the first time since around 1640. The Chilean government began evacuating the town of Chaitén, population 4,200, and the surrounding area, completing the main phase by 3 May; Futaleufú and nearby villages were cleared as well. On 6 May the force of the eruption increased significantly, producing pyroclastic flows and raising the column to a height of perhaps 30,000 metres.

Eruption start

2008-05-02

Eruption end

2011

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI)

4

Volcano

Chaiten

GVP volcano page

volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=358041

Category: Disasters & Incidents

Tags: chile, patagonia, evacuation, pyroclastic flows, ash column

Coordinates: -42.8349, -72.6514

Part of Volcanic eruptions of VEI 4 since 2000

Related collections

• Mass shootings in the United States that killed 13 or more people since 1949 — United States · 18 locations
• Industrial and accidental explosions that killed 200 or more people since 1900 — Worldwide · 13 locations
• Peacetime shipwrecks that killed 500 or more people since 1900 — Worldwide · 10 locations
• Tsunamis with waves of 15 metres or more from 1800 to 1899 — Worldwide · 12 locations
• Western Pacific typhoons of category 4 and above in the 2010 to 2013 seasons — Western North Pacific · 18 locations
• Western Pacific typhoons of category 4 and above in the 2016 season — Western North Pacific · 8 locations