- Status: Orange.
- 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, June 15, 11:56 a.m., Pacific: While the alert level is unchanged, there’s good news in the SGC bulletin: “The activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, although still unstable, has begun to show signs of decline.”
They’re being cautious and state that it could still have a major eruption, but this newer wording is a sign that maybe, just maybe, Ruiz could be settling down.
I hope so.
Here is an interview today with Dr. Makario Londoño:
https://youtu.be/Gve1MX72x1c&rel=0
Per my YouTube transcript translator, he reiterates what is in today’s SGC bulletin (below) and says that the next week or two (the translator software fumbled it a bit) are critical: the volcano overall appears to be getting more stable, but it is still emitting ash, indicating some remaining instability.
Whew!
Time will tell. Here is today’s Google-translated bulletin with original emphasis:
Manizales, June 15, 2023 10:05 a.m.
From the monitoring of the activity of the NEVADO DEL RUIZ VOLCANO, the MINISTRY OF MINES AND ENERGY through the COLOMBIAN GEOLOGICAL SERVICE (SGC) informs that:
From 9:00 a.m. from yesterday (June 14) until the time of publication of this bulletin, the activity of this volcano, in general terms, continues to show low levels with minor variations.
Compared to June 14, the seismicity associated with rock fracturing within the volcanic structure decreased in the number of earthquakes and increased in seismic energy. The earthquakes were located mainly in the Arenas crater and in the northeastern to eastern sectors of the volcano, at a maximum distance of 7 km from the crater. The depths of the earthquakes ranged from 1 and 5 km from the top of the volcano. The highest magnitude was 1.0, corresponding to the earthquake recorded yesterday at 11:48 a.m., located 7 km east of the crater and 4.0 km deep.
Regarding the seismicity related to the movement of fluids inside the volcanic conduits, this type of seismic activity decreased in the number of earthquakes and seismic energy, compared to the previous day (June 14). It is worth mentioning that the registration of the signals associated with possible ash emissions have been occasional and, on the other hand, the conditions of high cloudiness in the area have not allowed confirmation of this phenomenon.
According to the visual observations, the column of gases, steam and/or ash presented a height maximum of 500 m measured from the top of the volcano and a preferential direction of dispersion towards the west-northwest of the volcanic structure. Additionally, variations continued in the degassing of sulfur dioxide and the release of water vapor from the crater into the atmosphere.
The activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, although still unstable, has begun to show signs of decline. It is important to remember that this does not imply that the volcano has returned to its normal activity levels. Despite the decrease in his activity, it could still have a major eruption in days or weeks. As we have mentioned on previous occasions, after presenting important changes in its activity, the Nevado del Ruiz volcano has shown decreased activity before a major eruption. That is, first it records a sharp increase in activity, then a considerable decrease, and then it has a major eruption.
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 there will be a larger eruption than the volcano has done in the last 10 years. To change level and return to Yellow, a period of time is required where trends and patterns can be observed that allow inferring the possible decrease in activity, aspects that cannot yet be confirmed. For this reason, following the precautionary principle, the level of activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano will remain at LEVEL ORANGE. During this time, in the event of an acceleration of the processes that suggest an imminent eruption or the eruption itself, the level of activity will change to Red.
We recommend that the community remain calm, follow all the instructions of the Unit National 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 COLOMBIAN GEOLOGICAL SERVICE will continue to monitor the evolution of the volcanic phenomenon and will inform in a timely manner 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
Flight To Wonder 