Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/@INGEMMET

This drone footage shows huge plumes of smoke billowing from the crater of an active volcano after a lava dome formed.

The dramatic footage was taken over the Sabancaya volcano after a 50,000-square-metre lava dome formed over the northern part of the crater located in the region of Arequipa in southern Peru, according to the Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute (Instituto Geologico, Minero y Metalurgico- INGEMMET).

The dome first started to form in 2017 and the confirmation of its size and location was possible thanks to a drone flight carried out by the Vulcanological Observatory of INGEMMET on 26th October.

In the video a huge column of smoke can be seen rising from the crater and the lava dome can also be seen.

Video Credit: CEN/@igp_peru

According to the authorities, the lava dome’s volume is around 4.6 million cubic metres.

INGEMMET warned that between December and March, in the rainy season, alluvium deposits from the volcano could end up in the surrounding rivers.

There are reportedly three possible scenarios for the development of the dome. It could continue to generate moderate explosive activity and grow until it fills the crater completely.

The second scenario would see the explosive activity become more intense and generate pyroclastic flows up to 12 kilometres from the volcano.

A third scenario could see lava being generated but only travelling a short distance from the crater.

Local media reported that authorities are recommending citizens to keep the volcanic alert as ‘orange’ and not to come within 12 kilometres of the volcano.

Jose del Carpio, an engineer of the Geophysical Institute of Peru, said to local media that the volcano’s activity started in 2016, but this year it has increased from 10 explosions per day in July, to 44 per day in October.

The lava dome has reportedly created a ‘pressure cooker’ effect meaning the gas from the volcano is trying to escape, seeing ash evaporate from the magma and forming volcanic rocks.

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