Galeras Alert Level Raised to “Orange”

Galeras Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!

Colombia’s Galeras activity has intensified signifying an eruption may be imminent—INGEOMINAS

Galeras seen in this aerial photo (Undated). Source: Alaska Earthquake Information center. Image may be subject to copyright.

In June this year FEWW Forecast:

Galeras could erupt continually throughout 2009  and most of 2010 AND it hasn’t disappointed yet!

The Colombian Institute of Mining and Geology (INGEOMINAS), raised alert level Thursday to ‘Orange’ in the area near Galeras volcano, expecting it to erupt soon.

INGEOMINAS said Galeras activity has intensified signifying an eruption may be imminent within days or weeks. Adding that the volcano was showing recurrent episodes of intense seismic activity.

The authorities have evacuated about 8,000 residents from the hazard zones near the volcano.

In June 2009 Galeras volcano erupted twice in 24 hours , covering nearby villages in a blanket of volcanic ash.

Although the first eruption on Sunday June 7, 2009 caused no damage, the authorities ordered 8,000 residents to evacuate the surrounding villages.

The second explosion on Monday was the 8th eruption this year to shake the volcano, which is located in the Colombian department of Nariño near the town of  Pasto, and close to the Ecuadorean border.

Currently the most active volcano in Colombia, the 4,276-meter-high volcano’s first historical eruption occurred on December 7, 1580. The volcano resumed activity in 1988 after 10 years of dormancy. It erupted in 1993, killing nine people, three tourists and six scientists who had descended into the volcano’s crater to conduct tests.

Galeras from Pasto (1993?). Photo by Stan Williams. Image may be subject to copyright.

Eight of Colombia’s 15 volcanoes have erupted in the last 100 years, and three of them since 1990: Galeras, Nevado del Huila, and Nevado del Ruiz.

An explosive eruption ruptured the summit of Nevado del Ruiz on November 13, 1985, spewing about 20 million cubic meters of volcanic ash and rocks into the air. Forty-meter thick lahars traveling at velocities of up to 50 kilometers per hour destroyed the town of Armero 74 km away from the explosion crater, killing more than 23,000 people. [Source: USGS]

Galeras activity in 2009

• 14 February 19:11 an eruption spewed ash SO2 and other and volcanic gases. (Red Alert, Level I). [Pasto was covered in ash, 8,000 people evacuated.]
• 20 February 07:05 spewed ashes. (Red Alert,  Level I).
• 12 March 19:30, and 13 March 15:55 explosions were recorded (Orange Alert, Level II ).
• 13 March 15:55, eruption occurred spewing gas and hot ashes at 16:34 further emission was recorded. (Orange Alert, Level II).
• 24 April 07:32, two explosions were recorded. (Orange Alert, Level II).
• 29 April monitors recorded increase in seismic activity. (Orange Alert, Level II).
• 11 May 11:58, tectonic venting. (Orange Alert, Level II).
• 17 May 21:40, seismic activity recorded. (Orange Alert, Level II).

For other episodes see:

• VolcanoWatch Weekly [3 Dec 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [25 Nov 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [18 Nov 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [11 Nov 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [6 Nov 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [28 Oct 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [7 October 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [6 August 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [2 July 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [25 June 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [18 June 2009]
• Weekly VolcanoWatch [11 June 2009]

Related Links:

• Galeras Volcano Erupts Twice in 24 Hrs
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [20 May 2009]
• Galeras Volcano Erupts Again [April 26, 2009]
• FEWW Volcano Links
• Galeras Erupts Again! [February 15, 2009]