BJ Deming

Nevado del Ruiz: June 24, 2245 UTC

  • Status: Orange.

  • Live stream via Telecafe:

    Weather permitting. Also, here are links to still-image webcams, public data, and other information.

  • Interactive official hazard map (autotranslated), via Relief Web; En español
  • Update archive.

Update, June 24, 3:45 p.m., Pacific: I just noticed this, and [LAYPERSON SPECULATION] it seems a little high compared to values on other recent Ruiz reports, which are infrequent.[/LAYPERSON SPECULATION]

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

The summit is hidden by clouds on webcams but glimpses of relatively clear sky show above it.

No ash advisory has been issued all day.

Thought I’d post it just in case this “burp” by Ruiz signifies any changes.

Update, June 24, 10:10 a.m., Pacific: I’m not seeing any transmission on the Telecafe livestream right now, but there is a little good news in today’s SGC update: “In recent weeks, the activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano has begun to show signs of decrease. Although in the last week it had an increase compared to the previous ones, the volcano again showed signs of possible stability reflected in the low activity in recent days. However…”

There’s always a “however” around restless volcanoes.

But maybe, just maybe, Ruiz really is settling down. The alert level remains ORANGE, though, for reasons that SGC explains in their bulletin, which I ran through Google Translate (emphasis in the original):

Manizales, June 24, 2023 10:50 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 23) until the time of publication of this bulletin, the activity of the volcano has shown low levels, similar to those registered before June 15. This has been particularly notable, in the seismicity and in the surface activity related to it.

Compared to June 22, seismic activity related to fluid movement inside the volcanic conduits decreased in the number of earthquakes and in the seismic energy. Some of these signals were associated with pulsating ash emissions and/or incandescence confirmed through the web cameras used for volcanic monitoring.

Regarding the seismicity associated with the fracturing of rock inside the volcanic edifice, this also decreased in the number of earthquakes and in seismic energy, in relation to June 22. In general, the earthquakes were of low energy and were located in the crater and, in a scattered manner, in various sectors of the volcano at distances between 1 and 3 km from the crater, at depths ranging from between 1 and 5 km.

Regarding the surface activity in the volcano, the column of gases, steam and/or ash reached a maximum height in the vertical of 1000 m and in dispersion of 1800 m, both values measured from the top of the volcano. The preferential dispersal direction of the column continues toward the northwest of the volcanic structure.

Additionally, variations persist in the degassing of sulfur dioxide and in the output of water vapor from the crater into the atmosphere continued. The other monitored parameters presented minor variations.

In recent weeks, the activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano has begun to show signs of decrease. Although in the last week it had an increase compared to the previous ones, the volcano again showed signs of possible stability reflected in the low activity in recent days. However, it could still make 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 a decrease in its activity before an important eruption. That is, first it registers a strong increase in its activity, then a decrease considerable and, subsequently, makes 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 it has made in the last 11 years (May 29, 2012 was the first minor eruption of this volcano did in its most recent eruptive process).

To change level and return to Yellow, a prudential time is required where you can observe trends and patterns that allow inferring the possible decrease in activity, aspects that the volcano is already beginning to show, although a little more time is required to take the decision to downgrade. For this reason, following the precautionary principle, the level of activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano will remain at ORANGE LEVEL. During this time, in case there is an acceleration of the processes that suggest an imminent eruption or the eruption itself occurs, the activity level will be changed 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

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