In the era of modern volcanology, dating back to the eruption of St. Pierre on the Isle of Martinique in 1902, there have been only two directly observed rhyolitic eruptions of significant effect, that of Volcan Chaiten in May of 2008 and of Cordon Caulle in June of 2011. This volume focuses on the eruptive history, petrology and geochemistry, and eruption dynamics at Volcan Chaiten. Considerable attention is given to the 2008 event, as it literally put this volcano on the map as one of the most important case studies in silicic volcanism. The coexistence of humans and volcanoes posers an important backdrop for this chronicle of Chaiten, as its activity in recent and late-prehistorical times has created valuable sources of obsidian for native peoples.