El Salvador volcano expels lava
2005-10-01 20:04
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San Salvador - The Salvadoran interior ministry declared a red alert in the area of the Ilamatepec volcano which erupted on Saturday, hurling glowing lava and ash from its main crater.
"The red alert is for the 4 000m around the volcano's crater and there is a (lesser) yellow alert in adjacent areas," ministry spokesperson Rene Figueroa told reporters.
"It has begun to expel magma on the side of the town of San Blas, while the ash is being carried by a south-southwesterly wind," the University of El Salvador vulcanologist Francisco Barahona said.
Earlier the volcano rumbled and sent thick plumes of smoke skyward, prompting authorities to evacuate the surrounding area in the Central American nation.
At 14:43 (GMT) the volcano, 66km west of the capital and arguably better known as the Santa Ana volcano, released a giant plume of smoke, Sonsonate department governor Roberto Aquino said.
Military alarms were sounded for an immediate evacuation of the area, he added.
- AFP