BJ Deming

Nevado del Ruiz: May 29 (1759 UTC)

  • Status: Orange, but —

    https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

    The take-away here: Ruiz might wind up steadily, if that’s on its agenda, or it might just give them a few minutes’ notice before the “big one.”

  • Interactive official hazard map (autotranslated), via Relief Web; En español
  • USAID April 4th map (autotranslated) posted on May 18 at Relief Web.
  • Links to webcams, public data, and other information.
  • Update archive.

Update, May 29, 10:59 a.m., Pacific: The situation just goes on and on — volcanoes have all the time in the world, until all of a sudden, they don’t. And then EVERYONE has no more time left and can only react — and hope.

It’s rough on people, this waiting.

Jhon/VIDJCB caught some nice images this morning before the clouds moved in:

https://youtu.be/dtgKxcXJ6GU&rel=0

He’s reading the SGC bulletin. Here is the gist of it, via Google Translate, with note added as well as emphasis by SGC or me:

From 09:00 a.m. yesterday (May 28) until the time of publication of this bulletin, the seismic activity related to the movement of fluids inside the volcanic conduits decreased compared to the previous day (May 27). Some seismic signals of this type were possibly associated with pulsatile ash emissions, but it was not possible to confirm this through the web cameras used for volcanic monitoring, due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions in the area.

Note: There have been no VAAC advisories since May 26th.

Regarding the seismicity associated with rock fracturing within the volcanic edifice, the number of registered earthquakes decreased and the seismic energy released maintained similar levels compared to May 27. The seismicity was located, in a dispersed manner, in the north-eastern to eastern and southwestern sectors of the volcano, at a maximum distance of 4 km from the Arenas crater and depths between 3 and 4 km. In general, the magnitudes of the earthquakes were low.

On the other hand, variations continue in the degassing of sulfur dioxide and the release of water vapor from the crater into the atmosphere. The maximum height of the observed column of gases and/or ash reached 900 m measured from the top of the volcano and presented a predominant dispersion direction towards the west and northwest of the east.

Additionally, last night a report of the smell of sulfur was received from the military base in the Cerro GualĂ­ sector, which was possibly due to the dispersion of significant concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the column of gases and vapors towards that sector of the volcano. which could react with humidity in the environment and lead to the perception of a smell similar to sulfur compounds. The occurrence of this type of phenomenon does not indicate any relevant change in the volcano’s activity, it simply occurs occasionally when this type of factor comes together (SO2 concentration and high humidity), and is contemplated within the parameters of a volcano in orange activity level.

It is important to note that the activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano is still very unstable. It is possible that the levels of seismic activity, as well as the levels of degassing or ash output, decrease or be oscillating, in the sense of increasing on some days and decreasing on others. However, this does not imply that the volcano has returned to its normal levels of activity, so it is recommended not to get used to these oscillating changes in activity and think that it is a normal activity of the volcano.

Therefore, we reiterate that the activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano continues at ORANGE LEVEL, which indicates that there is a probability that in days or weeks it will erupt more than it has in the last 10 years. To change the level and return to the yellow level, a prudential time is required where trends and patterns can be observed that allow us to infer the possible decrease in activity, aspects that the current activity of the volcano still does not show, which is why it is warned that the activity level of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano will remain at ORANGE LEVEL for several weeks. During this time, in the event of an acceleration of processes suggesting an imminent eruption or the eruption itself occurring, the activity level will be changed to red.

We recommend that the community remain calm, follow all the instructions of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) and local authorities, and be attentive to the information provided by the Colombian Geological Service on the evolution of the state of the volcano.

The level of activity of the volcano remains at ORANGE LEVEL of activity or (II): PROBABLE ERUPTION IN TERM OF DAYS OR WEEKS.

The COLOMBIAN GEOLOGICAL SERVICE will continue to be attentive to the evolution of the volcanic phenomenon and will inform opportunely about the changes that may occur.

For more information visit the following link:
https://www2.sgc.gov.co/Noticias/boletinesDocumentos/Forms/AllItems.aspx

Featured image: Ric Photography/Shutterstock

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