A volcano in southern Chile became less of a tourist attraction when it erupted overnight on Wednesday.
The Llaima volcano produced a huge 9,800-foot column of smoke and spluttered out lava and ash that forced the evacuation of 150 people form the surrounding area.
Tourists visiting the Conguillo National Park in which the volcano is located were no doubt shocked by the unexpected eruption, the full extent of which has yet to be learned.
"It is rising rapidly; there have been emissions of ash," Carmen Fernandez, the director of Chile's National Emergency Office, told the BBC.
"We don't know what the volcano will do next."
"There are no signs yet of an increased risk," she added.
A verdict is eagerly anticipated from the officials and vulcanologists that flew over the volcano to monitor developments in Llaima's activity.
The volcano has not had a major eruption since 1999.
Chile has many active volcanoes, serving as popular tourist destinations.
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