How lake was ruined by fallout after monster volcano in Chile exploded into life

Article found HERE By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 2:43 PM on 9th June 2011

Just days ago tourists flocked to see the emerald waters of Argentina’s renowned Lake Nahuel Huapi – home to several species of trout which attract anglers from all over the world.

Today the lake is covered with huge patches of black and brown ash from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano which exploded into life after decades of lying dormant in south-central Chile.

Roads blanketed with volcanic pumice rocks and stones near the Cardenal Samore border pass between Argentina and Chile were inspected by police officers wearing masks for protection against toxic gases.

Volcanic aftermath: Argentina’s renowned tourist attraction, Lake Nahuel Huapi, with its beautiful emerald waters (below) is covered with black and brown ash after the Puyehue volcano erupted for the first time in half a century

Just over the border in Argentina thick abrasive soot was coating slopes in a string of resorts in San Carlos de Bariloche that depend on the winter ski season which opens in less than two weeks.

Around 4,000 people have already been evacuated from 22 communities since Saturday’s eruption belched a cloud more than six miles high across the South American countries.

Meanwhile, stiff winds blew the ash in a widening arc across Argentina to the capital Buenos Aires, grounding most air travel in and out of the country. Aerolineas Argentinas and Austral, the country’s state-owned international and domestic airlines, cancelled all flights.

Protection: A police officer wearing a mask against toxic gases stands on the pumice rocks and stones that rained down from the volcano eruption

Choked: A man walks his dog outside his ash-covered home in Rincon, Argentina. Scientists have said the volcano eruption is beginning to diminish

Cut off: A Chilean police officer clears the road along the Cardenal Samore border crossing to Argentina. The pass is choked by ash and snow

At least six international carriers also suspended flights between Buenos Aires and cities in the U.S. Europe and South America.

Flights from Chile over Argentine territory were also suspended.

The capital’s usually bustling international and domestic airports were nearly deserted. Geologists in Chile have said the volcano could keep erupting for several weeks.

But there was good news after scientists said the eruption had begun diminishing by yesterday, although ash was likely to continue spewing out for several more days at least.

Crisis: Agriculture ministry workers mark cows in El Caulle, Chile. Livestock has been unable to access drinking water and food because of the volcanic ash

Tests: Members of the National Emergency Office take samples from a river covered with ash

On standby: A police officer photographs a bridge the border with Argentina

Chilean Agricultural Minister Antonio Galilea said the ash has caused the deaths of thousands of fish north of the volcano by contaminating rivers and lakes. Livestock is also unable to drink the water.

Some roads and farms have been covered by ash up to 29 inches deep.

Vicente Nunez, director of the National Emergency Office, said vulcanologists reported that ‘there has been a decrease in seismic activity’ in the Cordon Caulle, but that the decline ‘is not conclusive’.

Evacuated residents have been allowed to return briefly to their properties to feed livestock and pets in the region surrounding the volcano, 560 miles south of the capital Santiago.

Mr Galilea said farmers have stored fodder to feed their animals and authorities were standing by to help them if they ran out.

The Cardenal Samore pass linking Chile and Argentina has been closed since the eruption began on Saturday. It is likely to take two days to clear away the ash and snow blocking it.

Powerful: Waterways have been covered with debris from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano eruption

Relief: The south of Chile is an important area for dairy herds and livestock and the volcano has forced many farmers to abandon their animals

(Getting Ready for Earth/core Biggest Event)