Colombia under warning due to possible volcanic eruption

Activity of Nevado del Ruiz volcano is still “highly unstable” and is therefore Colombian Geological Survey (SGC) decided to keep the orange alert this Saturday, which corresponds to a likely eruption in a few days or weeks.

“The activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano remains very unstable, therefore the community is advised to remain calm, follow all the instructions of the National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) and local authorities, and pay attention to the information provided by Colombian Geological Survey on the evolution of the state of the volcano,” the SGC said in a statement.

The body explained that “seismic activity associated with rock fracturing within the volcanic edifice continues in the southwest sector of the volcano, at depths between 2 and 4 kilometers and at a distance from the crater similar to those reported in previous days,” which is from 2 to 4 kilometers.

In this sense, 3,400 earthquakes were registered on Friday, and 800 of them occurred by 9:00 a.m. local time (14:00 GMT) this Saturday.

“Seismicity associated with the movement of fluids within the volcanic conduits has been associated with several pulsating and continuous ash emissions that have been confirmed through webcams used to monitor the volcano and reports from residents in sectors of the trail. Hut,” in the department of Tolima (center), he added information.

The highest observed height of the gas and ash column was 1,500 meters, measured from the top of the volcano with a preferred direction of dispersion towards the southeast.

“The release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere remains at levels similar to those observed in previous days. There have been reports of thermal anomalies located in the Arenas crater,” the SGC specified.

Located in Los Nevados National Park between the departments of Caldas and Tolima, this volcano erupted on November 13, 1985, causing the largest natural disaster in the country.

The eruption caused its glaciers to melt, causing an avalanche that devastated the town of Armero (Tolima), where more than 23,000 of its 25,000 inhabitants died.