Thick volcanic dust covers farmland close to the Chaitén volcano, on May 5, 2008 after three days of eruptions.

The ashfall is up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) deep in parts of this largely agricultural area, and the industry which may be crippled for decades, experts say.

The soil "will be practically lost," civil engineer Wilfredo Vera told Britain's Guardian newspaper. "Agricultural production will be virtually nil."

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