Volcano Eruption: Nicaragua's Telica Spews Fiery Rock and Ash into Sky
On Sunday Nicaragua’s most active volcano, Telica, sent forth fiery rocks and gases into the night sky, dusting the nearby towns with ash.
According to the Nicaraguan Geological Institute, since Telica first started to come alive last Thursday, the volcano has registered 30 small eruptions.
On Sunday, as detailed by the agency, “It spat hot rocks, gas and ash, reaching a height of 400 meters (1,312 feet).”
Although the effects were relatively harmless, the flaming rocks did end up causing vegetation on the volcano’s slopes to catch fire. The fiery balls of burning foliage that resulted from the small explosion became a kind of visual draw for observers on the scene. According to the Agence France-Presse, a nearby villager named Martha Reyes, who was speaking to the Channel 8 network, described what she saw as “amazing.”
No notable damage or injuries were reported in the nearby towns of Posoltega and Guanacastal, which were dusted in ash resulting from the eruptions. According to the geological agency the seismic activity has, for the time being, remained within the normal range.
Guillermo Gonzalez, the director of Nicaragua’s disaster prevention agency, said: “There is no danger, no extreme activity, that indicates an evacuation is necessary.”
Despite the relative safety, three evacuation centers have been set up in nearby towns in the event that Telica becomes more active.
According to the AFP, the Army Civil Defense Corp., located in León, states that over 2,400 people live near the volcano, which is 1,061 meters tall and is located in the foothills of the Maribios, an area that is 70 miles northwest of the Nicaraguan capital Managua.
Nicaragua is home to least 27 active volcanoes. Although the volcano is known to become active every few years, the last time Telica had a major eruption was in 1948.
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