Ubinas Volcano In Peru Erupts, Ash Plume Reaches 40,000 ft.

Violent eruption of Ubinas volcano in Peru pictures and videos 

Hundreds of people living near the Ubinas volcano have been evacuated after the volcanic peak erupted 07:35 UTC (02:35 local time) on July 19, 2019.

The ash plume reached an altitude of 40,000 ft (12km). The alert level has been raised from yellow to orange.

The National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci) ordered the evacuation after the Ubinas volcano, the most active in the country located in the Moquegua region, recorded two explosions that led to ash being spewed within a radius of 25 km (16 miles), affecting at least eight inhabited areas.

Ashfall was reported in the towns of Ubinas, Escacha, Anascapa, Matalaque, San Miguel, Huarina and Tonohaya. 

Desde las 2:30 a.m. de hoy, el #IGP viene alertando de la situación a las autoridades regionales a fin de que tomen acciones preventivas a favor de la población. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/BiHQ7QzKOz

— Instituto Geofísico del Perú (@igp_peru) July 19, 2019

“Actions are being taken for around 1,000 people living in the areas around the Ubinas volcano, so they can be relocated to shelters already provided for in contingency plans,” Indeci chief Jorge Chavez told local radio station RPP.

The education ministry said that in towns near the volcano, about 1,200 km (745 miles) south of Lima, classes were suspended and people were given masks and goggles as protection against the ash and gases from the volcano.