2011 Puyehue Eruption

The 2011 Puyehue eruption is a volcanic eruption that began in the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcanic complex in Chile on June 4, 2011. At least 3,500 people were evacuated from nearby areas, while the ash cloud reached the city of Bariloche, in Argentina, where the local airport was closed.

Although the eruption is referred to as coming from Puyehue volcano, it is not yet clear if it originated from Puyehue or Cordón Caulle, an adjacent volcanic fissure. Cordón Caulle has erupted many times in recorded history, most recently in 1960, whereas Puyehue has remained dormant. The 1960 eruption caused widespread destruction, in addition to that caused by the 1960 Valdivia earthquake days earlier.