Bogotá (EFE).- The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) informed that the seismic activity in the Nevado del Ruiz volcano continues variable, with an increase in the last hours, for which reason the orange alert is maintained.
“The seismic activity related to the movement of fluids inside the volcanic conduits showed an increase compared to the previous day and was associated with various pulsatile and continuous ash emissions,” the SGC said in a statement.
The information added that the maximum height of the column of gases and/or ash observed yesterday was 1,700 meters measured from the top of the volcano and the preferential dispersion direction of the column was to the southwest.
The daily bulletin of the Geological Service also indicated that “the degassing rates remained at levels similar to those observed the previous day. In addition, there were reports of several thermal anomalies.
The geologists stressed that the orange alert level can fluctuate and at times decrease compared to previous days, without this meaning that the volcano has returned to a lower level of activity.
The agency emphasized that to change and return to the yellow level “a reasonable time is required where trends and patterns can be observed that allow inferring the possible decrease in activity.”
For this reason, he warned that the orange alert will be maintained for several weeks and that “during this time, in the event that there is an acceleration of the processes that suggest an imminent eruption or that the eruption itself occurs, the level of activity will be changed.” to red”.
Faced with this situation, Colombian President Gustavo Petro asked yesterday to accelerate “the preventive evacuation of 2,500 families” located in areas close to the volcano.
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) explained that there are two categories of municipalities that would be affected: Those that may receive pyroclastic flows (highly toxic gases and ash) and those that are close to rivers, because the melting of the volcano’s snow due to high temperatures can cause an avalanche.
This volcano, located in the Los Nevados National Park between the departments of Caldas and Tolima, erupted on November 13, 1985, which caused the largest natural catastrophe in the country.
Due to the eruption, its glaciers melted, which caused an avalanche that devastated the town of Armero (Tolima), where more than 23,000 of its 25,000 inhabitants died.
