Is Colombia's deadly Nevado del Ruiz on the verge of a major eruption?
The volcano’s last major eruption occurred 38 years ago, claiming the lives of more than 23,000 people. Now, columns of ash and gas that have billowed from the volcano recently are a sign that it could erupt soon and should not be taken lightly, said a University of Miami marine geoscientist.
University of Miami
28-Apr-2023 11:05 AM EDT, by University of Miami
BYLINE: Robert C. Jones Jr.
Newswise — Hundreds of villagers who live in the shadow of the Western Hemisphere’s deadliest volcano, Colombia’s Nevado del Ruiz, have been on edge for nearly a month ever since the 17,000-foot-tall mountain started spewing plumes of ash and steam high into the atmosphere, indicating that an eruption could be imminent. But for now, those who have elected to remain in their homes, instead of evacuating as local authorities have advised, can only wait and watch.
“This is a high-risk and well-monitored volcano, and right now, all the ingredients for a new eruption are there,” said Falk Amelung, a professor of marine geosciences at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science.
“A significant seismic swarm occurred on March 30, and this [low-magnitude] earthquake sequence strongly suggests that magma is on the move,” Amelung continued. “We also know from geodetic data that there was significant magma intrusion in the previous decade. So, if the Colombian Geological Survey says that something unusual is going on, that’s a warning that should be taken seriously.”
Many residents, however, have refused to heed those warnings and are staying, saying their livelihoods depend on it. Located about 80 miles northwest of Colombia’s capital city of Bogotá, Nevado del Ruiz is home to fertile grounds farmed by many families.
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https://www.newswise.com/articles/is-colombia-s-deadly-nevado-del-ruiz-on-the-verge-of-a-major-eruption
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