Some 4,000 people have been evacuated from Chaiten in southern Chile since Friday night, as minor but frequent earthquakes struck the region.

According to the University of Chile's Seismological Service, more than 10 moderate earthquakes have hit the Chaiten region between Friday night and Saturday morning.

No casualties or damage have been reported so far.

The quakes, some experts believe, were triggered by the eruption of Chaiten volcano early Friday morning. Regions around the volcano have been covered with dense clouds of ash and dust.

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

(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2008)