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Chile volcanic eruption at critical stage-Expert

Fri, 2008-05-09 12:46 — ABN

By Antonio de la Jara

PUERTO MONTT, Chile, May 9 (Reuters) - A towering plume of ash from an erupting volcano in Chile's remote Patagonia could collapse back down to devastate the surrounding area, a leading expert warned on Friday.

Luis Lara, a geologist and volcano expert with the government's geology and mining agency Sernageomin, says his models show the vast column of ash, which has soared 7.5 miles (12 km) into the air, at a critical stage.

A sudden collapse would shroud vast areas with hot gas, ash and molten rock, killing anything in its way.

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