Three volcanoes blow; one in Mexico kills 21
Vancouver, Wash.
Volcanoes rumbled in three areas of the globe on Monday. Mt. St. Helens shot a large plume of steam and ash nearly 5 miles above its summit, after earthquakes and an eruption Sunday night. No damage was reported. Scientists said seismic readings indicated more eruptive activity was imminent.
In Mexico City, the Chinchon volcano rumbled to life with three fresh eruptions of ash that blanketed portions of the southeastern states of Tabasco and Chiapas.
The Mexican Defense Ministry reports 21 people have been killed and 54 seriously injured in the blasts, and about 14,000 people are homeless. Damage to banana, cocoa, coffee, corn, and bean crops in Chiapas alone is estimated at about $44 million.
In addition, CBS News reported that a small volcanic eruption occurred on the South Pacific island of Java.