What is Nevado del Ruiz?

1 ANSWERS

1. GiGi
   

   Nevado del Ruiz, also known as Mount Ruiz or Kumanday, is an Andean stratovolcano in the Caldas Department of Colombia. It is the northernmost volcano of the Andean Volcanic Belt, lying about 129 kilometers (80 mi) west of Bogotá. Composed of andesitic and dacitic lava flows, the volcano has been active for about two million years, since the early Pleistocene or late Pliocene epoch. The present edifice of Nevado del Ruiz was constructed between 150 and 50 thousand years ago during its last eruption period. It is considered the second most active volcano in Colombia after Galeras.
   
   Nevado del Ruiz usually has Plinian eruptions that produce pyroclastic flows. These eruptions often cause massive lahars (mudflows), which pose a threat to both human life and wildlife. On November 11, 1985 a small eruption produced an enormous lahar, which buried and desolated the town of Armero, causing an estimated 23,000 deaths in what became known as the Armero tragedy—the deadliest lahar in recorded history. Inhabitants of the towns around Ruiz refer to it as "the Sleeping Lion", because the volcano had been dormant for nearly 150 years before the Armero lahar. The ruins of Armero still lie in the valley below it. Similar but less destructive incidents occurred in 1595 and 1845, consisting of a small explosive eruption followed by a large lahar.
   
   The volcano is part of Los Nevados National Park, made up of several volcanoes within the region. The summit of Nevado del Ruiz is covered by large glaciers, although these have retreated significantly since 1985 due to global warming. The volcano continues to pose a threat to the nearby towns and villages. Up to 500,000 people might be at risk of another lahar. Bogotá, Colombia's capital, is not considered to be at risk from such lahars.

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