Nicaragua volcano belches ash cloud, residents evacuated

Esteban Felix / AP

A Nicaraguan soldier wears a protective mask as the San Cristobal volcano, in background, spews smoke and ash, near Chinandega, Nicaragua, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012.

MANAGUA -- Nicaragua's tallest volcano belched an ash cloud nearly a mile into the atmosphere on Saturday, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of nearby residents who heard explosions emanating from its crater.

The 5,725-foot San Cristobal volcano, which sits around 95 miles north of the capital Managua in the country's northwest, has been active in recent years, and stirred in mid-2008, when it expelled gas and rumbled with a series of small eruptions.

Government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo said authorities were still assessing the strength of the volcanic activity. Nearby residents were being evacuated. He said as many as 20,000 people could ultimately be affected by the gas and ash from the volcano.

In 2009, the volcano let off a series of explosions, spewing gases on nearby towns.  

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Viva Nicaragua! I spend my spring break in Nicaragua. With $2000 airplane ticket included, two weeks off, and the best all inclusive hotel in the area, Nicaragua is a nice deal for anyone.

I love that the volcanoes are active, however I hope Nicaraguan people take care of themselves. But you can't always fight with nature, and that is what Nicaragua is all about: Nature.

    Reply#27 - Sat Sep 8, 2012 10:17 PM EDT

    Ohhhh lordie mnt beano is acting up again.

    • 1 vote
    Reply#28 - Sun Sep 9, 2012 3:09 AM EDT

    Should've taken Beano before so there wouldn't Beano gas.

    • 2 votes
    #28.1 - Sun Sep 9, 2012 7:44 AM EDT
    Reply

    I got tired of the "You got money" spam from Okolo Augustine, Republic of Benin, Cotonou, Africa. It has raised my ire, so with my connection to the mesosphere, I have sent them a hurricane. The eruption, and the ash from it, will provide the means to generate the extra rain, winds, etc. I really could have used that $6000.00 per day that there were going to send. I am looking forward to the floods of mud, deadly gas, and water, hopefully it washes them all out sea, and wipe the land clean of any inhabitants in a radius of 500 miles. They say they trust in God, well, they have another thing comming.

    And if those people in congress keep screwing around, they are going to have some of the same trouble. I am looking to flood or create so much damage east of the Mississippi river, that people won't be able to vote, on election day. That way the west coast will have the final say. I get so tired of being poor, and the rich bitches in the east getting to vote and having the election practically desided before we here in CA get a chance to vote. The hurricanes and 'tropical storms', earthquakes, and torrnados in the east coast is just the start. The DNC was smart to go in doors, as I was looking to send a bolt or two of lightning, just to send a clear message. I very disapointed that my local SS office lost my paper work after I had been approved, then denied my claim after they screwed up, saying I wasn't timely, when they just dragged their respective heels. I would be happy with a desent paying job that I could do sitting down, because I am partially disabled, since I was 12. I used to do bench work in an electronic position as a senior level engineering technician doing protoype work. Now that job, the one I was trained for, got shipped off to India, and Taiwan, and China by greedy corporate bastards, who can only see as far as the end of the current quarter. As long as they get their $10,000,000 dollar bonuses, what do they care about the little guys that do the real work. The republicans have no connection to God, they talk but don't do the walk. I will give them more to worry about.

      Reply#29 - Sun Sep 9, 2012 6:34 AM EDT

      getting lots of things going on around the ring of fire the last few weeks, hope its not going to break lose & I understand that a few weeks is a blink of an eye as far as the earth is concerned...

        Reply#30 - Sun Sep 9, 2012 11:13 AM EDT

        There's too much anthropomorphising in writing today. How does the writer know it was a belch? It may have been a fart.

        • 1 vote
        Reply#31 - Sun Sep 9, 2012 11:21 AM EDT

        its a nice feeling to know that for the most part here in Wisconsin and surrounding states we don't have to worry about much other than a tornado's, thunderstorms, floods or droughts and there pretty trivial compared to what kinda crap the rest of you out there have to worry about...

          Reply#32 - Sun Sep 9, 2012 11:30 AM EDT

          Western USA Volcanos Gouing To Blow Their Tops ?

          Most of these Volcanos are way over due for eruption.

          Mt Rainier will be quite the spectical !

          MSN says Mt. Fuji is preparing to Reupt in Japan

          This Year 2012 could get very interesting if not down right dangerous !

            Reply#33 - Sun Sep 9, 2012 11:40 AM EDT

            That and the quake in C.R.,just the Planet makin a few adjustments...Been goin on for millenia...Stay Tuned.More to Come...

              Reply#34 - Sun Sep 9, 2012 12:45 PM EDT

              wow!!!

                Reply#35 - Wed Sep 12, 2012 11:00 AM EDT

                Would it be too much to ask for your photographer to wait until the clouds clear to shoot a picture of the actual eruption - in focus?

                  Reply#36 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:05 PM EDT

                  The clouds are part of the eruption...they will be around a long time,billowing down around the mountain crest. An eruption is not just red flow.

                    #36.1 - Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:18 PM EDT
                    Reply

                    sorry guys, a different topic pls. CAN THE SUN BURN OUT??? IS THE SUM WE HAVE NOW THE FIRST SUN??? AND WHAT COLOR IS THE SUN???

                      Reply#37 - Sat Sep 15, 2012 12:25 PM EDT
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