Colombia’s Nevado del Ruiz volcano threatens holiday travel

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An image of the Volcán Nevado del Ruiz released by Colombia's Servicio Geológico
An image of the Volcán Nevado del Ruiz released by Colombia's Servicio Geológico

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]olombia’s Nevado del Ruiz volcano rumbled back to life on Sunday, sending tremors through the ground and ashes through the sky. That could spell trouble for those traveling by air to Manizales and surrounding towns during the holiday season.

“A volcanic seismic tremor signal has been registered with variable energetic values,” reads a special press release from the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) released Sunday afternoon. “The signal was associated with the emission of ash into the atmosphere.”

Colombia’s Civil Aeronautical administration tweeted Monday morning that the runway at Manizales’ La Nubia airport would be closed at least until it could be cleared of ash.

According to the SGC statement, levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) measured near the volcano are the “highest yet recorded in the current activity cycle.” Increased SO2 levels can indicate higher levels of magmatic activity underneath a volcano’s surface.

The Geological Service first reported increased tremors late last week, warning that they could lead to ash and gas emissions. It’s the latest in a series of rumbles that have occurred periodically throughout the year and part of an activity cycle that dates back to 2010.

The alert level remains yellow, which indicates that “the volcano is above its base threshold,” according to SGC criteria. At a yellow alert — which is the second lowest — volcanoes can produce tremors, ash emissions, landslides, noises and other effects that can impact the lives of people who live nearby.

Orange alert signals an eruption likely to occur within days or weeks, and a red alert means an eruption is imminent within hours or already occurring.

Residents near the Nevado del Ruiz are encouraged to stay vigilant of any changes in the volcano’s activity and to report any falling ash to the SGC.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Armero tragedy, one of the deadliest volcano eruptions in modern history. On Nov. 13, 1985, the Nevado del Ruiz roared to life after nearly seven decades of dormancy.

Melting ice caused landslides and mudslides that killed more than 23,000 people, including more than two-thirds of the residents of the town of Armero.

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