See the Eruption of Chile's Calbuco Volcano Paint the Sky

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Apr 23, 2015 12:55 AM CUT

The Chilean Calbuco volcano seen from Puerto Montt, located 600 miles south of Santiago de Chile, Chile on April 22, 2015. The eruption caused a column of smoke over ten miles high. Authorities declared a red alert and ordered the evacuation of around 15

The Chilean Calbuco volcano seen from Puerto Montt, located 600 miles south of Santiago de Chile, Chile on April 22, 2015. The eruption caused a column of smoke over ten miles high. Authorities declared a red alert and ordered the evacuation of around 1500 residents in the area surrounding the volcano.

The Chilean Calbuco volcano seen from Puerto Montt, located 600 miles south of Santiago de Chile, Chile on April 22, 2015. The eruption caused a column of smoke over ten miles high. Authorities declared a red alert and ordered the evacuation of around 1500 residents in the area surrounding the volcano.Alex Vidal Brecas—EPA

Eliana Dockterman

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Eliana Dockterman

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Apr 23, 2015 12:55 AM CUT

The Calbuco volcano in Chile erupted for the first time in more than four decades on Wednesday, prompting officials to issue a red alert for the city of Puerto Montt. Authorities evacuated around 1,500 residents within a six-mile radius of the volcano after it spewed ash into the air, according to the Associated Press. The volcano, located some 600 miles south of the capital, Santiago, last erupted in 1972.

This is the second eruption in Chile this spring. In early March, the Villarrica volcano expelled ash and lava. Chile has the second-largest chain of volcanos in the world, following Indonesia.

See The 2011 Eruption of Chile's Puyehue Volcano

A boat moored in Puerto Arauco, at the Nahuel Huapi Lake and the landscape around are seen covered with sand and volcanic from the Chilean Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano in Villa La Angostura, southern Argentina, Friday, June 17, 2011.

A boat moored in Puerto Arauco, at the Nahuel Huapi Lake and the landscape around are seen covered with sand and volcanic from the Chilean Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano in Villa La Angostura, southern Argentina, Friday, June 17, 2011. Federico Grosso—AP

The pier of Puerto Arauco at Nahuel Huapi Lake is seen covered by sand and volcanic ash from the Chilean Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano in Villa La Angostura, southern Argentina, Friday, June 17, 2011. The volcano started erupting on June 4 after remaining dormant for decades.

The pier of Puerto Arauco at Nahuel Huapi Lake is seen covered by sand and volcanic ash from the Chilean Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano in Villa La Angostura, southern Argentina, Friday, June 17, 2011. The volcano started erupting on June 4 after remaining dormant for decades. Federico Grosso—AP

Houses and trees are covered by volcanic ash on the bank of Nahuel Huapi Lake in Villa La Angostura in southern Argentina, Sunday June 19, 2011. The Chilean government says the volcano in southern Chile that began erupting about two weeks ago is becoming less active. That will allow 4,000 people who were evacuated near the volcano to return home.

Houses and trees are covered by volcanic ash on the bank of Nahuel Huapi Lake in Villa La Angostura in southern Argentina, Sunday June 19, 2011. The Chilean government says the volcano in southern Chile that began erupting about two weeks ago is becoming less active. That will allow 4,000 people who were evacuated near the volcano to return home. Federico Grosso—AP

A satellite image of the ash plume from the eruption of a volcano in Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle chain, June 13, 2011.

A satellite image of the ash plume from the eruption of a volcano in Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle chain, June 13, 2011. NASA/Reuters

Chile volcano

Ash cloud from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano, June 12, 2011. Patricio Rodriguea—Reuters

Chile volcano

The ash cloud from the Chilean volcano has drifted across the Pacific, giving New Zealand's Mount Taranaki, above, a warm glow, June 12, 2011. David Frampton—AP

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Chile Volcano

Volcanic ash from the Puyehue volcano floats on a patch of water in the Gol-Gol River, June 7, 2011. Alvaro Vidal—AP

A cloud of ash billowing from Puyehue volcano near Osorno in southern Chile, 870 km south of Santiago, on June 5, 2011.

A cloud of ash billowing from Puyehue volcano near Osorno in southern Chile, 870 km south of Santiago, on June 5, 2011. Claudio Santana—AFP/Getty Images

In this time-lapse photo, ash billows from Puyehue volcano as lightning strikes in southern Chile on June 5, 2011.

In this time-lapse photo, ash billows from Puyehue volcano as lightning strikes in southern Chile on June 5, 2011. Victor Rojas—Xinhua

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Lightning bolts strike around the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic chain near southern Osorno city June 5, 2011.

Lightning bolts strike around the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic chain near southern Osorno city June 5, 2011. Ivan Alvarado—Reuters

A helicopter flies over smoke and ash rising from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic chain near Osorno city in south-central Chile June 5, 2011.

A helicopter flies over smoke and ash rising from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic chain near Osorno city in south-central Chile June 5, 2011. Ivan Alvarado—Reuters

Lightning bolts strike around the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic chain near the southern city of Osorno on June 5, 2011.

Lightning bolts strike around the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic chain near the southern city of Osorno on June 5, 2011. Ivan Alvarado—Reuters

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Toys covered with ash — from a volcano in the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle chain — over 100 miles away in the Argentine resort city of San Carlos de Bariloche June 5, 2011.

Toys covered with ash — from a volcano in the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle chain — over 100 miles away in the Argentine resort city of San Carlos de Bariloche June 5, 2011. Chiwi Giambirtone—Reuters

A tourist watches the cloud of ash billowing from Puyehue volcano at a town in southern Chile, June 5, 2011.

A tourist watches the cloud of ash billowing from Puyehue volcano at a town in southern Chile, June 5, 2011. Victor Rojas—Xinhua

Ash billowing from Puyehue volcano as lightning strikes in southern Chile on June 5, 2011.

Ash billowing from Puyehue volcano as lightning strikes in southern Chile on June 5, 2011. Victor Rojas—Xinhua

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A view of the 9th hole green covered in ash at the Llao Llao hotel golf course in Bariloche, Argentina.

A view of the 9th hole green covered in ash at the Llao Llao hotel golf course in Bariloche, Argentina. Francisco Ramos Mejia—AFP/Getty Images

Ash billowing from Puyehue volcano as lightening strikes in southern Chile on June 5, 2011.

Ash billowing from Puyehue volcano as lightening strikes in southern Chile on June 5, 2011. Ian Salas—EPA

A car is completely covered in volcanic ash in San Carlos de Bariloche, southern Argentina, June 5, 2011.

A car is completely covered in volcanic ash in San Carlos de Bariloche, southern Argentina, June 5, 2011. Alfredo Leiva—AP

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Smoke billowing into the sky after the eruption of the Puyehue volcano, June 05, 2011.

Smoke billowing into the sky after the eruption of the Puyehue volcano, June 05, 2011. Ian Salas—EPA

The cloud of ash billowing from Puyehue volcano in southern Chile on June 5, 2011.

The cloud of ash billowing from Puyehue volcano in southern Chile on June 5, 2011. Victor Rojas—Xinhua

A cloud of ash billowing from Puyehue volcano near Osorno, Chile, on June 5, 2011.

A cloud of ash billowing from Puyehue volcano near Osorno, Chile, on June 5, 2011.