Two(?) new ash columns at Chaiten

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Just when you thought it was safe to go outside.

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After apparently settling down a bit over the weekend, Chaiten has kicked it back up a notch. The latest reports say that two ash columns are active … and that is about all we get for more news. Not surprisingly, most of the damage around the volcano has been done by flooding and/or lahars, thanks to the ash and debris-choked rivers like Rio Blanco. It also sounds like the SERNAGEOMIN is digging in for the long-haul, calling for the eruption to go on – to some degree – for months. This isn’t too shocking considering the minor dome eruption at Mt. Saint Helens that started in 2004 has been going on for 4 years.