article_snippet: It was spewing lava and ash hundreds of meters into the air,' 29-year-old Australian tourist Travis Armstrong said. '
article_snippet: Lightning was striking down at the volcano from the ash cloud that formed from the eruption.'
article_snippet: Adding to the threat of ash and lava, the peak is covered by a glacier cap and snow, causing some officials to worry the eruption could cause mudslides or force rivers to flood and jump mudslides or force rivers banks.
article_snippet: Starry night: The calm sky provided a contrasting backdrop to the volcano, which officials worry could melt glacial waters and accumulated snow .
article_snippet: With an eruption occurring in 1984, tourists could until recently peer into the crater and wonder about the volcano's destructive capacity.
article_snippet: Erupting lava earlier in March caused officials to worry that melting snow could start mudslides .
highlights_snippet: another eruption was Villarrica's first major eruption since 1984 .