Residents living near the Galeras volcano in southwestern Colombia have been evacuated as the volcano showed signs of increased activity. The government has raised the level of the alert to orange, the second-highest level, indicating an eruption is possible and that those living in affected areas should be prepared to evacuate. It remains unclear how long the evacuation will last, but authorities are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of the people in the area. This situation highlights the danger and unpredictability of living close to active volcanoes and the need for appropriate and timely response from authorities. In this article, we will explore the events surrounding the Galeras volcano and the impact they are having on local residents.
Around 120 residents living near Colombia’s Nevada del Ruiz volcano are being evacuated as a precautionary measure after increased seismic activity, according to officials. The governor of the Caldas department, Luis Carlos Velasquez, announced that about 40 families living near the volcano would be relocated as the volcano has recently experienced “significant increase in seismic activity”. Some of the homes near the smoking crater are not reachable via cell phone or radio, added by the governor, making it difficult to warn them in case of an emergency. Colombia’s SGC geological service has warned of a “probable eruption within days or weeks,” and the ministry of mines has reported the “significant increase in seismic activity” last week.
Nevada del Ruiz is hardly new to destruction, as a 1985 eruption by the volcano claimed the lives of 25,000 people, making it one of the deadliest eruptions of the 20th century and the worst natural disaster in Colombian history. Therefore, the government is not taking any chances and has already issued an orange alert regarding Nevada del Ruiz. President Gustavo Petro also took heed to the warning, tweeting: “We have an orange alert due to the change in seismology at the Ruiz volcano. Mayors must prepare the protocols for this state of alert.” According to Colombia’s UNGRD disaster risk management unit, an orange-level alert means a volcano eruption “bigger than any in the last decade” is likely.
Once the orange alert is issued, emergency officials are called into action, and the government starts to transfer those who are at the greatest risk to savers areas as soon as possible. Some people near the volcano are reluctant to leave their homes, but the government is urging them to evacuate as soon as possible due to the possible eruption. An informative campaign has also been launched to calm people down and inform them about what needs to be done in case of an emergency.
Nevada del Ruiz is an active volcano located near the city of Manizales in Western Colombia. It sits on the boundary of two tectonic plates, which makes it more prone to seismic activity. The volcano has erupted several times in the past, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Despite the government’s efforts to relocate families living near the smoking crater, many people are still worried due to the horror of the 1985 eruption. The last time Nevada del Ruiz erupted was in November 1985, which caused a massive lahar that destroyed the nearby town of Armero.
In conclusion, Colombia’s Nevada del Ruiz volcano’s heightened seismic activity is a cause for concern, and the government has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of those who are living near the volcano. It is important to note that the orange alert signals the government’s willingness to tackle the situation head-on to mitigate the possible disaster. Therefore, it is imperative that people living near the smoking crater of Nevada del Ruiz take note of the warnings and adhere to the evacuation protocols set in place by the government for the safety of all. It is better to be safe than sorry.
