- Status: Orange.
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Update, June 25, 11:55 a.m., Pacific: Dr. Makario Londoño has told media (autotranslated) that they are closer to YELLOW than to ORANGE, but the alert level stays where it is for a while longer.
Here’s today’s SGC update (emphasis in the original):
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 24) until the time of publication of this bulletin, the activity of the volcano continued to show low levels, once again showing a general tendency to decrease in its dynamics.
Regarding June 23, the seismic activity related to the movement of fluids within volcanic conduits decreased in the number of earthquakes and in seismic energy. Some signals were possibly associated with pulsatile ash emissions.
In parallel, the record of the seismicity associated with rock fracturing was maintained at the interior of the volcanic edifice. Compared to June 23, this activity presented levels similar in the number of earthquakes and in seismic energy. The earthquakes were of low energy and located mainly to the east-northeast and northeast of the volcano, between 1 and 5 km away of the crater, at depths ranging between 2 and 5 km.
Regarding the surface activity in the volcano, the column of gases, steam and/or ash reached a maximum height of 1500 m measured from the top of the volcano. The preferential direction of dispersal of the column prevailed towards 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 decrease. Although in the last week it had an increase compared to the previous ones, the volcano is showing signs of possible stability reflected in the low activity in recent days. However, still it could make a major eruption in days or weeks. As we have mentioned, on previous occasions, after presenting important changes in its activity, the volcano Nevado del Ruiz has shown a decrease in its activity before a major eruption. That is to say, first it registers a strong increase in its activity, then a considerable decrease and, subsequently, it 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 it will erupt more than it has 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 which is already beginning to show the volcano, although it takes a little longer 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 that it is 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
Flight To Wonder 