Ecobreves – CHILE: Progress on Volcano Monitoring

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

SANTIAGO, Sep 21 2009 (IPS) - Chile's National Volcanic Monitoring Network is setting its sights on establishing four observatories by 2013. The National Geology and Mining Service is currently updating the Observatory of the Southern Andes, in the central Chilean region of Araucanía.

The Service has already acquired new equipment, including 50 seismometers, and hired more staff, Jorge Muñoz, head of the Network, told Tierramérica.

In 2010-2011, an observatory will be built in the city of Coyhaique, in the southern region of Magallanes; in 2012 another in Talca, in the central region of Maule; and in 2013, one in the northern region of Antofagasta.

The total investment will be 30 million dollars, and will take place in the context of the bicentennial of Chile's independence from Spain. The South American country has more than 2,000 volcanoes, with 500 considered geologically active.