An ash cloud from the Calbuco volcano in southern Chile that erupted unexpectedly on Wednesday was blowing into Chile and Argentina on Thursday, forcing the cancellation of flights from nearby cities in both countries and blanketing residents in ash.
The volcano, which last had a major eruption in 1961, has belched a spectacular plume of ash and smoke around 15 km (9 miles) into the sky near the popular tourist town of Puerto Varas, some 1,000 km (625 miles) south of Santiago.
Calbuco erupted twice over the last 24 hours and has now paused, but it remains unstable and could erupt again, experts said.