11:46 | General Sanchez Cerro (Moquegua region), Jul. 24.
Four new explosions have been recorded at the
Ubinas volcano —located in Peru's southern Sanchez Cerro province, Moquegua region— in the last few hours, the
Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) reported on Monday.
"4 explosions have been registered in the last hours, since midnight, and ash may affect inhabitants in the districts of Chojata, Lloque, Yunga, and would even reach the district of San Juan de Tarucani, which is located within the boundaries of the districts in Moquegua and Arequipa regions," it stated.
According to the scientific body, the column of ash and gases that has risen from the volcano moves towards eastern and northeastern flanks due to the wind direction.
Therefore, it recommended that the surrounding communities take proper precautions.
In this regard, IGP volcanologist Jose del Carpio confirmed that 4 explosions have been registered in the last few hours, thus generating ash plumes that rose as high as 4 km altitude.
Del Carpio underscored that the most affected districts by these explosions are Ubinas, Yunga, Lloque, Chojata, Matalaque and populated centers, as well as farms and grazing areas.
In this regard, the expert said that the IGP had already foreseen this type of situation thanks to the permanent monitoring carried out on the volcano.
Moreover, he affirmed that an ash cloud was suspended in the sky of Arequipa in the morning, which dissipated and drifted to the west over the hours.
(END) JCB/MAO/RMB
Published: 7/24/2023