PUYEHUE VOLCANO EMERGENCY – CAULLE MOUNTAIN RANGE WINTER OF 2011- INTERNATIONAL PASS CARDENAL SAMORÉ

摘要

On June 4th 2011 an eruption of the Puyehue volcano, located in the Caulle mountainrange -Chile-, occurred. This location is 20 Km near the Brazo Rincón Winter MaintenanceCamp of the Argentinean National Road Division (DNV), within the limits of Villa LaAngostura County, Province of Neuquén. This situation was considered a nationalemergency, and took place during the winter maintenance period of the National Route N°231, which connects Argentina with Chile through The Andes.Cardenal Samoré International Pass is located within Nahuel Huapi National Park, nearthe most important winter touristic centers of the country, as the cities of Villa LaAngostura, San Martín de Los Andes and Bariloche.In this context of uncertainty and lack of experience, with important efforts it was possibleto coordinate work fronts with other Provinces Road Maintenance groups, Contractors, theEmergencies Operative Committee (COE), and all kind of Institutions. Some measureswere taken, as the closure of several airports (including Buenos Aires) and theInternational Pass as well. Water supply, gas supply, Electricity and other basic serviceswere momentary suspended.Visibility was deeply diminished. This was the main reason for the closure of the Pass. Thedriving conditions were totally unsafe. The Road Maintenance Works during theemergency included the plowing of the ashes, its transport and deposition, and alsocleaning of the culverts, ditch scours repair, warning signs placement, brochuredistribution, etc.