Smoke rises from the Chaiten volcano, located some 1225 km (761 miles) south of Santiago May 2, 2008. The volcano in southern Chile spewed ash before dawn on Friday, triggering tremors 12 miles (20 km) away and prompting evacuations, officials said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    SANTIAGO, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Over 1,200 people were evacuated as a preventative measure from the edge of the volatile Chaiten volcano in southern Chile on Friday.

    Some 300 people were evacuated from the regions of El Amarillo,El Negro and Chana, while some 900 were from Chaiten City, as the Chaiten volcano was determined as active.

    The volcano, located 10 km from Chaiten City, is small and not expected to produce huge eruptions, but possible eruptions at any time pose a deadly threat as the volcano is close to the city. Local authorities have declared red alert.

    Local residents have expressed their worry and scare over the volcano's volatility.

    National director of Chilean Emergency Department (Onemi) Carmen Fernandez said a makeshift building has been established inCastro City, 99 km from Chaiten City, to accommodate the evacuated people.

    Regions near the volcano are covered with dense ash cloud and dust, and Onemi has handed out masks and breathing devices to local residents to help prevent poisonous materials.

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