The activity level of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano is changing from yellow to orange, as reported this Friday morning by the Colombian Geological Survey and the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management. “This level suggests that Nevado del Ruiz volcano could erupt more in days or weeks than it has in the past decade,” said a joint press release from the two entities. The last time the volcano’s activity level turned orange was in April 2012.
This change in activity comes from the evaluation of the seismic events recorded in the last few days in the south-western zone of the volcano, at a distance of 2 to 5 km from the Arenas crater and at depths between 2 and 4 km from the top. According to this monitoring, which is carried out to determine when a volcano may erupt, it is known that last Wednesday, March 29th, the highest number of daily earthquakes was recorded since monitoring of this volcano began in 1985. The Armero tragedy, in which more than 25,000 people died in an avalanche triggered by a volcanic eruption.
The Geological Survey announced that there were 6,500 earthquakes on March 28 and more than 11,000 on March 29. As of the date of publication of the Bulletin, Thursday 30th, more than 9,600 seismic events have been recorded. “A gradual increase in released seismic energy is also highlighted,” the Geological Survey reported. The maximum magnitudes recorded were: 2.6 on the 24th; 2.7 on the 29th and 3.1 on the 30th. Recent warning sign is an increase in “thermal anomalies” since October 2022, which continues to this day.
Nevado del Ruiz is one of Colombia’s 25 active volcanoes. It is located at 5,321 meters above sea level in the Central Cordillera, on the border between the departments of Tolima and Caldas. “Given its explosive nature and following the Armero tragedy, this is a volcano whose monitoring is a priority,” the press document said.
The Director-General of the UNGRD, Javier Pava Sánchez, called on the risk management councils of the departments and municipalities in the sphere of influence to intensify the preparatory measures for the response: “It is necessary to review and adjust evacuation routes, point meetings, etc., as well as update territorial response strategies,” said Pava Sanchez. The change in the level of activity of this volcano allows the authorities to take the necessary preventive measures in a timely manner.
As this situation can last for several days, the UNGRD recommends having all the preparatory measures in place to respond to a possible outbreak: “evacuation plans disseminated and implemented, correctly articulated with warning systems, evacuation routes marked and in good condition, and evaluation of restricted access to some areas”.
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Julio Fierro Morales, Director General of the Colombian Geological Survey, points out that this unit has been monitoring the activity of the volcano 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since 1985. Fierro demands that decisions be made “for the good of the people and, above all, based on what science shows”. And he concludes: “When the activity and monitoring of the volcano warrants it, a regional Unified Command Post (PMU) will be established, where the corporate, local and departmental authorities that are part of the volcano’s sphere of influence will be convened become.”
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