Nevado del Ruiz volcano news & activity updates
Nevado del Ruiz volcano (Colombia): new eruptions cause ash fall in Manizales
Wednesday May 30, 2012 10:29 AM | BY: T
Volcán Nevado del Ruiz seen from the south (29 May on 06h19) (INGEOMINAS)
Overflight on 29 May showing the ash emissions (UNGRD / INGEOMINAS)
The explosions were probably phreatic (caused by exploding overheated groundwater as fresh magma is probably rising inside the volcano) and caused ash fall on on the city of Manizales at about 30 km distance from the volcano, as well as in many other towns and villages around the volcano, including the departments of Risaralda and El Àguila.
At the moment, strong degassing and probably ongoing explosive activity is creating a plume of gas, steam and ash rising 500-1000 m above the crater, and a strong odor of sulfur is noted in towns and villages around the volcano.
INGEOMINAS who had recently decreased the alert level of Nevado del Ruiz raised it again to ORANGE (eruption likely within days to weeks).
The ash emissions forced the closure of the airports of Manizales, Pereira, and Armenia (in 60 km distance). According to news, the government ordered the evacuation of 500 people nearest to the volcano and authorities are distributing dust masks to the population.
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- Information about: Nevado del Ruiz volcano
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Links / Sources:
Links / Sources:
- Reporte de actividades año 2012 (activity reports from INGEOMINAS)
Previous news
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
According to INGEOMINAS, the Observatorio Vulcanológico and Sismológico de Manizales reported that during 1-2 May both satellite images and field observers indicated that steam and sulfur dioxide emissions rose from Nevado del Ruiz. Seismicity continued to decrease. On 3 May the Alert Level was lowered to III (Yellow; "changes in the behavior of volcanic activity"). ... [more]
Thursday, May 03, 2012
During 25-26 and 28-30 April gas-and-steam plumes rose 0.5-2 km above Nevado del Ruiz's crater. Seismic signals indicated that an ash plume was emitted at 1248 on 30 April however cloud cover prevented observations. Seismicity fluctuated, but decreased. The Alert Level remained at II (Orange; "eruption likely within days or weeks"). [more]
Thursday, Apr 19, 2012
Seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz decreased during 11-15 April then slightly increased during 16-17 April, but remains at elevated levels. ... [more]
Tuesday, Apr 10, 2012
The Colombian authorities have declared a red alert for the area around the volcano Nevado del Ruiz and warn the population against the feared mud flows (lahars) that are to be expected in an eruption of the volcano. The status of the volcano itself is described as eruption likely in the coming days or weeks. ... [more]
Tuesday, Apr 03, 2012
Nevado del Ruiz seems to be getting closer to a new eruption. INGEOMINAS reports that during the last week, there has been a significant increase in the activity of the volcano, which can be summarized as follows: ... [more]
