Villarrica Eruption and Milky Way

Photographer: Gabriel Muñoz
Summary Author: Gabriel Muñoz

Shown above is the active, snowcapped Villarrica volcano in the Andes Mountains of Chile. I was about 3 miles (5 km) south of the crater when I snapped this photo on May 11, 2024. Subject to frequent small outbursts, known as Strombolian eruptions, Villarrica's last major eruption occurred in 1948. On this autumn night it's ejecting incandescent material several hundred feet into the air.

The Milky Way and its two satellite galaxies, the Magellanic Clouds (lower right), are easily visible from here with the naked eye. Note the meteor (thin streak) just above Villarrica's summit.

Photo Details: Canon RP camera; Rokinon 14 mm lens; 2.8; 300 photos.

 

Villarrica Volcano, Chile Coordinates: -39.3744472, -71.9465915

Related Links:
Villarrica Volcano Eruption
Gabriel's Website