Chile Volcano and Nepal Earthquake by Emily Lauterpacht

On Wednesday 22nd April, the volcano Calbuco in Chile unexpectedly erupted after being dormant since 1972. This has been followed by an earthquake of magnitude 7.9 that Nepal today (25th April). 

Calbuco has blown its top once more since Wednesday, and there are warning that more eruptions may follow soon. 
Just like the eruption Iceland's volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, in 2010, Calbuco's eruption has disrupted many international flights, due to the ash cloud created, that went 20km into the air. This ash is now blanketing villages in Argentina and southern Chile, and there are worries that more ash could spread even further afield if Calbuco continues to erupt. 
Fortunately no injuries have been reported, but many villages have been evacuated (4000 people). Farmers are struggling the most, as there is nowhere to graze their animals.

Footage of the eruption

Just 10 hours after the earthquake in Nepal, the death toll has already exceeded 900, and is still quickly rising. At least 634 of these people were in the Kathmandu Valley, 300 more in  Nepal's capital Kathmandu, 36 in India, 12 in China, 4 in Bangladesh and 6 in Tibet. 
Along with the usual effects of an earthquake, an avalanche was triggered on Mount Everest, killing at least 18 and trapping many more. It also damaged Everest base camp. The historic Dharahara Tower collapsed during the earthquake. 
This is the greatest magnitude earthquake to hit Nepal in over 80 years. It is thought that the earthquake's focus was not very deep underground, increasing the force felt. There have also been at least 12 aftershocks, one of which had a magnitude of 6.6. 

Dharahara Tower before the earthquake 

Dharahara Tower after the earthquake 

Emily Lauterpacht