A touch of Chile in our sunset
CHILE'S Calbuco volcano erupted in late April, but its effects on Warwick have only just cleared.
A haze of smoke and a small amount of ash from the eruption made its way above Warwick through a jet stream and was visible in the sunset on Sunday evening, according to Jeff Higgins of Higgins Storm Chasing.
SE QLD Weather photographer Chris McFerran, who owns Christo's Coffee Shop at Warwick Hospital, was one of multiple keen photographers who captured the event.
"I've never seen an enormous suspended purple cloud like that," Mr McFerran said.
"As soon as I saw it bolted inside and got my camera because I knew it would only last a few minutes.
"I think we actually got a better show than quite a few other areas around south east Queensland.
"The smoke was sitting at about 37,000 to 39,000ft in the air and some of the ash also fell to earth - that's why we had that bright orange sunset."
Mr McFerran said he was captivated by the event.
"You get left in awe of Mother Nature - it's just quite rare to see something like that.
"I hate seeing people get hurt or have their livelihoods affected at the same time though."
Calbuco volcano:
- One of about 90 active volcanoes in Chile
- Erupted three times in late April
