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Galeras Volcano

Updated: Apr 18, 2024 07:32 GMT -
complex stratovolcano 4276 m / 14,029 ft
Colombia, 1.22°N / -77.37°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 10 Dec 2021

Galeras is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes. In an eruption in 1993, it killed a group of scientists and tourists who had been inside its crater when it erupted.

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Typical eruption style: explosive
Galeras volcano eruptions: 1535, 1580, 1616, 1641-43, 1670-1736, 1754-56, 1796-1801, 1823, 1828-34, 1834, 1836(?), 1865-70, 1889, 1891, 1923, 1924-27, 1930, 1932, 1933(?), 1936, 1947, 1950, 1973(?), 1974-83, Feb-May 1989, Jan 1990 - July 1992, Jan-June 1993, Mar-May 2000, June 2002, July 2004 - Feb 2005, Nov 2005 - July2006, Oct 2007 - Jan 2008, Oct 2008 - 2010

Latest nearby earthquakes

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Background

Galeras is one of Colombia's most frequently active volcanoes. The dominantly andesitic volcano has been active for more than 1 million years, and two major caldera collapse eruptions took place during the past 100,000 years. Several collapse events have produced debris avalanches that swept to the west and left a large horseshoe-shaped caldera inside which the modern cone has been constructed.
Major explosive eruptions in the past thousands of years have produced widespread tephra deposits and pyroclastic flows that swept all but the southern flanks. A central cone slightly lower than the caldera rim has been the site of numerous small-to-moderate historical eruptions since the time of the Spanish conquistadors.

The fatal eruption in 1993
Galeras became active again in 1988 after 10 years of dormancy. It became infamous when it erupted on 14 January 1993, killing six volcanologists and three tourists who were inside the crater when it exploded. The group was part of an scientific conference excursion and their final decision to enter the crater, pushed forth by team leader Stanley Williams (who miracoulously survived), was and still is highly debated: the fatal decision was made despite the observation of a significantly increased number of particular earthquakes (tornillos), which had preceded previous eruptions and also started to occur in the days before the eruption.

Latest satellite images

Galeras satellite image sat1Galeras satellite image sat2
Thu, 14 Jun 2018, 14:12

M4.5 earthquake near Galeras volcano kills 2 people

Small ash emission observed from the Pasto Volcano Observatory on 17 December 2012 (INGEOMINAS)
Two moderate earthquakes occurred near Galeras, Colombia's most active volcano, at a depth of ca 30 km. According to the Colombian Geological Service, the first quake occurred at 4:35 a.m. local time (about 0935 GMT) and registered 4.5 on the Richter scale. A minute later, a second quake measuring magnitude-4.3 hit, several mild aftershocks have followed. Two people died when their house was crushed by falling rocks and officials suspended classes in local schools as a precaution. The earthquakes have placed local authorities in the nearby city of Pasto, capital of Narino Province, on high alert as they fear that the currently dormant volcano might enter a new eruptive phase. ... Read all
Fri, 30 May 2014, 09:58

Galeras volcano (Colombia) activity update

Activity at the volcano is currently low. Read all

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