Sightseers were caught off guard at the top of Telica volcano. Photo / Youtube, La Prensa
Sightseers were caught off guard at the top of Telica volcano. Photo / Youtube, La Prensa
This is the incredible moment a volcano erupts in Nicaragua - but the tourists standing right by it carry on filming even as a huge plume of smoke and ash fills the air.
As the vast black mass rises from the Telica volcano amid a thunderous roar, one man appears completely unconcerned as he carries on standing just feet from the crater's edge.
The full height of the ash plume is made dramatically clear in other footage taken further down the mountain.
The central American country's most active volcano, Telica has registered 30 small eruptions since it rumbled to life on Thursday.
The strongest yet occurring on Sunday evening, according to the Nicaraguan Geological Institute (NGI).
Fiery rocks and gases spewed from the crater that night, dusting nearby towns with ash and awing residents as incandescent material shot into the night sky.
"It spat hot rocks, gas and ash, reaching a height of 400 metres," the NGI said in a statement.
The flaming rocks caused vegetation on the volcano's slopes to catch fire and fiery balls of burning foliage created a spectacle for observers.
"It's amazing," said nearby villager Martha Reyes, speaking to the Channel 8 network.
The nearby towns of Posoltega and Guanacastal were dusted in ash following the eruptions, though no major damage or injuries were reported.
The geological agency said the seismic activity remained within normal range for the time being.
"There is no danger, no extreme activity, that indicates an evacuation is necessary," said the director of Nicaragua's disaster prevention agency, Guillermo Gonzalez.
But three evacuation centres were set up in nearby towns in case Telica's activity increases.
Telica, which is 1,061 meters tall, is located in the foothills of the Maribios, about 112 kilometres northwest of the Nicaraguan capital Managua.
Telica's last major eruption was in 1948, though activity occurs every few years.
