MEXICO, December 23 (RIA Novosti) - Governments of Chile and Argentina have issued volcanic activity alerts in areas close to the Copahue volcano that started spewing ash on Saturday morning, local media said.

The Copahue volcano in Argentina’s Neuquen province on the border with Chile is in constant activity. However, residents were alarmed when it began to spew massive plumes of ash and smoke to the height of up to 1,500 meters.

The governments of the two states have issued an orange volcano alert typically assigned to volcanoes with increased likelihood of eruption.

Though no evacuation was ordered, many locals have already left their homes as a precaution.

Increased seismic activity was also registered in the area.

Though Copahue last erupted in 2000, its activity intensified in summer.