Chile's Puyehue volcano eruption

Chile's Puyehue volcano belched a 10-km tall ash column into the sky. According to local media, the eruption might have been caused by a series of earthquakes that occured in the region in the last few days. Witnesses say that there is a strong smell of sulfur in the air. The ash cloud has already reached Argentina. The alarm level has raised to its maximum, code "red". Puyehue is located 870 km south of the Chilean capital Santiago. Last time it rumbled to life in 1960 after a devastating 9.5-magnitude earthquake.

Airview of the smoke and ash from Puyehue volcano. ©REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

Chilean police watch volcano eruption. ©REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

Lightnings pass through ash clouds. ©REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

Toys at the playground covered with volcanic ash. ©REUTERS

Lightnings pass through ash clouds. ©REUTERSChile

Lightnings pass through ash clouds. ©REUTERS

Citizens pass through the shroud of volcanic ash and smoke. ©REUTERS

Brier covered with volcanic ash. ©REUTERS

Chilean police and other citizens supplied with respirators. ©REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

A man taking picture of volcanic ash. ©REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

Plane covered with ash in San Carlos de Bariloche airport. ©REUTERS

Cars driving along the road covered with volcanic ash. ©REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

A team over Nilhue river close to the erupted volcano. ©REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

A woman and her child wearing respirators to protect themselves from volcanic ash. ©REUTERS

Locals watching eruption. ©REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

A woman walking across the street covered with volcanic ash. ©REUTERS/STRINGER Argentina

Heavy road vehicles cleaning the roads off volcanic ash. ©REUTERS