In Chile Calbuco volcano erupts for the 3rd time in less than 2 weeks

Reports say the latest eruption was less powerful, but sent a large plume of dark grey smoke and ash rising from the crater.

Chile's Calbuco volcano has erupted for the third time in 8 days, leading the government to order the evacuation of 2,500 people, BBC reports.

Reports say the latest eruption was less powerful, but sent a large plume of dark grey smoke and ash rising from the crater.

Following the latest eruption, the National Geology and Mines Service issued a red alert warning that the volcano remained unstable, even as many of the residents who will again be evacuated only just returned to their homes after last week's eruptions.

While  the ash last week was blown in a north-easterly direction, this time it is drifting south-east over the town of Cochamo, blanketing it in a cloud of smoke and ash.

Calbuco, which is one of the most active volcanoes in Chile surprised residents of the Los Lagos region last week by bursting into life after 54 years of inactivity.

It has erupted in 1961 and 1972, and many times before that.