Ash being thrown into the atmosphere by the eruption of the Puyehue-Cordon-Caulle range of volcanoes in Chile has caused flight disruption across South America. Flights in and out of Buenos Aires in Argentina had to be cancelled for a time, although the city’s main airport has now reopened. Santiago airport in Chile also cancelled some services.

According to officials in Buenos Aires, some 60 flights were cancelled from Aeroparque and Ezeiza airports. Experts were waiting to see if the ash cloud would spread, but later declared the all clear for both airports. The threat of ash also caused services from Santiago to countries including Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina to be suspended by Brazil’s Tam Airlines and Chile’s Lan.

Officials are worried that ash from the volcanic range will silt up rivers as it falls back to earth causing them to burst their banks. There is also the fear of flash flooding in some areas as rain is forecast for much of the rest of the week. Chilean officials are trying to persuade people living close to the volcanoes to leave the region.

Chile has more than 3,000 volcanoes and around 80 of those are currently active. It is one of the most volcanic countries on the planet and the current eruption is the most serious in the area since an earthquake triggered activity in 1960.

The ash cloud has been shifting across Chile and southern Argentina as the prevailing winds continue to change direction. Ash has even settled on the Bariloche ski resort which is 100km to the east of the activity.