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Galeras
Galeras in December 2005
Highest point
Elevation	4,276 m (14,029 ft)
Coordinates	1°13′16″N 77°21′33″W / 1.22111°N 77.35917°W / 1.22111; -77.35917
Geography
GalerasLocation of Galeras in Colombia
Location	Nariño  Colombia
Parent range	Central Ranges  Andes
Geology
Mountain type	Complex volcano
Volcanic arc/belt	North Volcanic Zone
Last eruption	2012 to 2014

Galeras (Urcunina among the 16th-century indigenous people) is an Andean stratovolcano in the Colombian department of Nariño, near the departmental capital Pasto. Its summit rises 4,276 metres (14,029 ft) above sea level. It has erupted frequently since the Spanish conquest, with its first historical eruption being recorded on December 7, 1580. A 1993 eruption killed nine people, including six scientists who had descended into the volcano's crater to sample gases and take gravity measurements in an attempt to be able to predict future eruptions. It is currently the most active volcano in Colombia.

Geological history

Galeras has been an active volcano for at least a million years, with andesite as the dominant product. Two major caldera-forming eruptions have occurred, the first about 560,000 years ago in an eruption which expelled about 15 cubic kilometres (3.6 cu mi) of material. The second some time between 40,000 and 150,000 years ago, in a smaller but still sizable eruption of 2 cubic kilometres (0.48 cu mi) of material. Subsequently, part of the caldera wall has collapsed, possibly due to instabilities caused by hydrothermal activity, and later eruptions have built up a smaller cone inside the now horseshoe-shaped caldera.

In light of its violent eruptive history and proximity to the 450,000 people of Pasto, Galeras was designated a Decade Volcano in 1991, identifying it as a target for detailed study as part of the United Nations' International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.

Eruptive history

Galeras is considered the most active volcano in Colombia, followed by Nevado del Ruiz. Its earliest activity during the Holocene has been dated at 7050 BC ± 1000 years through radiocarbon dating. Other eruptions similar to this event include those in 3150 BC ± 200 years, 2580 BC ± 500 years, 1160 BC ± 300 years, 490 BC ± 100 years, and in 890 AD ± 200 years. Typically these eruptions consist of a central vent explosion, conducive to an explosive eruption causing pyroclastic flows and/or lahars. Eruptions in more recent times, which have been recorded consist of those in 1535, December 1580, July 1616, 1641, 1670, 1754, November 1796, June 1823, October 1828, 1834, October 1865, July 1889, 1891, December 1923, October 1924, October 1932, February 1936, July 1947, January 1950, 1974, February 1989, January 1990, January 1993, March 2000, June 2002, July 2004, November 2005, October 2007, January 2008, February 2009, March 2009, January 2010, and August 2010. Reported incidents with no official proof occurred in 1836, 1930, 1933, and 1973.

1993 eruption

Galeras became active again in 1988 after 10 years of dormancy.

A Decade Volcano conference in the city of Pasto, in 1993, ended in disaster when several of the scientists present mounted an impromptu expedition on 14 January to the crater of Galeras. An eruption occurred unexpectedly while they were at the summit, resulting in the deaths of six scientists and three tourists.

Elements in the media made the event controversial by suggesting the expedition leader, geologist Stanley Williams, who survived along with four others, had ignored safety procedures. A prediction had been made three days before the eruption based on B-Type activity seen on a seismograph. Seismic B-types had been used successfully to predict eruptions on other volcanoes. However, the prediction was based simply on the one seismographic printout viewed in the light of previous history of Galeras, without any additional scientific measurements showing any serious activity within the volcano.

21st-century activity

Activity at a low level has continued at Galeras, with small explosions occasionally dusting nearby villages and towns with ash. The volcano has continued to be well-studied, and predictions of eruptions at the volcano have improved. One phenomenon, which seems to be a reliable precursor to eruptive activity, is a low-frequency seismic event known as a tornillo event. These have occurred before about four-fifths of the explosions at Galeras, and the number of tornillo events recorded before an eruption is also correlated with the size of the ensuing eruption.

More than 100 minor tremors were felt during a major eruption in April 2002, although no damage or injury was reported. An eruption in November 2005 forced an evacuation of the dangerous area surrounding the volcano, and about 9,400 people from nearby villages (most of them farmers) were ordered to leave. The city of Pasto, about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from the volcano, was blanketed by a layer of ash after the volcanic explosion, forcing the residents to don goggles and face masks.

Numerous minor tremors and ash emissions since March 2006 culminated on 12 July 2006 in three explosive eruptions, producing an ash and gas column reaching an altitude of 8 kilometres (5.0 mi). Rock falls and pyroclastic flows were reported from towns as distant as Consacá, 11.4 kilometres (7.1 mi) west of the main crater. The Colombian government has repeatedly ordered evacuations to temporary shelters, of more than 8500 people residing in the highest risk areas surrounding the volcano, with hopes of eventual assistance toward permanent relocation.

On January 17, 2008, the volcano erupted around 20:06 (local) (01:06 UTC). There were no immediate reports of injuries or serious property damage. Later the experts confirmed partial damage in the national and local TV towers.

Then, on February 14, 2009, the volcano erupted around 19:10 (local) (00:10 UTC). Some 8,000 residents were evacuated, and there were no immediate reports of injuries or serious property damage. As in 2005, the city of Pasto was blanketed by a layer of ash after the volcanic explosion (due to the direction of the wind). The local authorities ordered two water treatment plants near Galeras to shut down.

On March 13, 2009, Galeras erupted twice at around 15:55 and 17:00 (local time). Ash fell on Pasto and some other towns near the volcano, where an evacuation was ordered but reportedly ignored. No injuries or damage were reported.

2010 eruption

The volcano erupted on January 3, 2010, forcing the evacuation of 8,000 people. This was the 10th such eruption of the volcano in the preceding 12 months, and the first of 2010. Colombian authorities also stated that it could remain volatile in the weeks to come.

Galeras erupted again on August 25, 2010 with an ash plume visible in the air. The eruption, which was described as non-explosive, caused authorities to raise an alert for neighbouring towns.

This volcano is monitored by the Deep Earth Carbon Degassing Project.

Gallery

• Galeras Volcano shrouded in cloud and rare snow, overlooking the city of Pasto

See also

• List of volcanoes in Colombia
• List of volcanoes by elevation

References

1. ^ "Galeras". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
2. (in Spanish) PASTO: Geographical, Economics and Culture Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
3. Eruption: A Survivor's Tale, Scholastic
4. Baxter & Gresham, 1993
5. Colombia volcano provokes alert, BBC News, July 13, 2006
6. "Colombia: Reporte de actividad eruptiva de Galeras, Julio 13 de 2006 - Colombia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 13 July 2006. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
7. "Colombia: Galeras Volcano OCHA Situation Report No. 4 - Colombia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 28 June 2006. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
8. "Image: Crateres_de_impacto_erupcion_Galeras_ene_17_2008_sector_sur_crater.jpg, (2000 × 1500 px)". intranet.ingeominas.gov.co. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
9. "Few persuaded to flee Colombia volcano". The Associated Press via San Francisco Chronicle. January 17, 2008.
10. "8,000 evacuated as Colombia volcano stirs: officials". February 15, 2009. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009.
11. "Galeras volcano erupts in southwestern Colombia". PR-Inside.com. Associated Press. February 15, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-02-20.
12. Eruptions of Galeras Volcano Situation Report No 1, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 16 March 2009.
13. "Evacuation after Colombia volcano erupts". Television New Zealand. 3 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-09-19. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
14. "'Red alert' issued for Colombian volcano after non-explosive eruption". CNN. August 26, 2010.

Bibliography

• Peter J. Baxter; Austin Gresham (1997). "Deaths and injuries in the eruption of Galeras Volcano, Colombia, 14 January 1993". Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. 77 (1–4): 325–338. Bibcode:1997JVGR...77..325B. doi:10.1016/S0377-0273(96)00103-5.

Further reading

• Bruce, Victoria (2002). No Apparent Danger: The True Story of Volcanic Disaster at Galeras and Nevado del Ruiz. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-095890-9.
• Calvache V., Marta Lucia; Cortés, Gloria Patricia; Williams, Stanley N. (1997). "Stratigraphy and chronology of the Galeras volcanic complex, Colombia". Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. 77 (1–4): 5. Bibcode:1997JVGR...77....5C. doi:10.1016/S0377-0273(96)00083-2.
• Narváez M., Lourdes; Torres C., Roberto A.; Gómez M., Diego M.; Cortés J., Gloria Patricia; Cepeda V., Héctor; Stix, John (1997). "Tornillo-type seismic signals at Galeras volcano, Colombia, 1992–1993". Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. 77 (1–4): 159. Bibcode:1997JVGR...77..159N. doi:10.1016/S0377-0273(96)00092-3.
• N., N. (2015). Actualización del mapa de amenaza volcánica del Volcán Galeras - Colombia. Servicio Geológico Colombiano. pp. 1–47. Retrieved 2017-06-15.

External links

• GOES imagery of the 03 January 2010 eruption (CIMSS Satellite Blog)
• Galeras volcano website
• Watch Galeras in realtime
• VolcanoWorld information
• BBC on the November 2005 eruption
• Colombia: Galeras volcano situation map

v t e Protected areas of Colombia
National Natural Parks	Alto Fragua Indi-Wasi Amacayacu Bahía Portete Cahuinarí Catatumbo Barí Chingaza Corales de Profundidad Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo Cordillera de los Picachos Cueva de los Guácharos Doña Juana-Cascabel Volcanic Complex El Tuparro Farallones de Cali Isla Gorgona La Paya Las Hermosas Las Orquídeas Los Katíos Los Nevados Macuira Munchique Nevado del Huila Old Providence McBean Lagoon Paramillo Pisba Puracé Río Puré Sanquianga Selva de Florencia Serranía de Chiribiquete Serranía de la Macarena Serranía de Los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi Serranía de los Yariguíes Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Sumapaz Tamá Tatamá Tayrona Tinigua Uramba Bahía Málaga Utría Yaigojé Apaporis
Flora and Fauna Sanctuaries	Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta El Corchal "El mono Hernández" Galeras Guanentá Alto Río Fonce Iguaque Isla de La Corota Los Colorados Los Flamencos Malpelo Otún Quimbaya Plantas Medicinales Orito Ingi-Ande Playona Acandí
National Natural Reserves	Nukak Puinawai
Unique Natural Area	Los Estoraques
Road parks	Salamanca Island
Regional Nature Reserves	Cerulean Warbler Colibri del Sol Laguna de Sonso
Proposed Areas	Bosque Seco del Patía Morichales de Paz de Ariporo Serranía de Pinche Serranía de San Lucas
Biodiversity Natural hazards Natural regions

v t e Treasures of Colombia
Archaeological sites Colombia magia salvaje National monuments National parks World Heritage sites
Heritage of humanity Bolívar Cartagena Mompox
National heritage Antioquia Puente de Occidente Atlántico Complejo Cultural de la Antigua Aduana Boyacá Estación de Chiquinquirá Tunja Vargas Swamp Lancers Villa de Leyva Caldas Palacio de la Gobernación de Caldas Salamina Cauca Popayán Tierradentro Cundinamarca Plaza Bolívar Casa de Moneda de Colombia Estación de la Sabana Museo del Oro Museo Nacional San Francisco Church San Francisco Palace Santa Clara Church and Museum Santamaría Bullring Teatro Colón Huila San Agustín Quindío Parque del Café Santander San Juan de Girón Valle del Cauca San Francisco Church
Architectural, artistic and archaeological treasures Antioquia Botero Collection Haciendas cafeteras Boyacá Ráquira Caldas Haciendas cafeteras Manizales Cathedral Cundinamarca Haciendas cafeteras Monserrate Sanctuary Quinta de Bolívar Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá Magdalena Ciudad Perdida Haciendas cafeteras Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino Nariño Las Lajas Shrine Norte de Santander Haciendas cafeteras Quindío Haciendas cafeteras Risaralda Haciendas cafeteras Santander Barichara Haciendas cafeteras Tolima Haciendas cafeteras Valle del Cauca La Ermita Church Hacienda El Paraíso Haciendas cafeteras
National natural parks and treasures Amazonas Amacayacu Amazon River Angostura del Caquetá Araracuara Canyon La Chorrera Putumayo River Raudal de Jirijirimo Antioquia Los Katíos Piedra del Peñol Arauca Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Bolívar Rosario Islands Boyacá Lake Iguaque Páramo de Ocetá Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Siscuinsí Lake Lake Tota Caldas Los Nevados Caquetá Angostura del Caquetá Araracuara Canyon Caño Paujil Chiribiquete Claro River Mirití River Casanare Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Cauca Gorgona Island Lagunas de la Magdalena y de Santiago Nevado del Huila Puracé Volcano Cesar Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Chocó Cabo Marzo Ensenada de Utría Los Katíos Cundinamarca Chingaza Lake Guatavita Rocas de Suesca Guainía Atabapo River Cerros de Mavecure La Guajira Alta Guajira Cabo de la Vela Los Flamencos Sanctuary Salinas de Manaure Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Guaviare Cerro Pintado Chiribiquete Ciudades de Piedra Inírida River Raudales Huila Claro River Estrecho del Magdalena Lagunas de la Magdalena y de Santiago Nevado del Huila Tatacoa Desert Magdalena Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Meta Caño Cristales Chingaza Nariño Cumbal Volcano Galeras Volcano Laguna de la Cocha Laguna Verde del Azufral Putumayo River Sanquianga Norte de Santander Los Estoraques Putumayo Cascada del Indio La Paya Putumayo River Quindío Cocora Valley Los Nevados Risaralda Los Nevados San Andrés y Providencia Providencia Island Santander Chicamocha Canyon El Gallineral Tolima Cerro Bravo Nevado del Huila Los Nevados Valle del Cauca Farallones de Cali Malpelo Island Vaupés Apaporis River Tunnel Raudal de Jirijirimo Raudal de Yuruparí Vichada El Tuparro
Source: Wills, Fernando; et al. (2001). Nuestro patrimonio – 100 tesoros de Colombia [Our heritage – 100 treasures of Colombia] (in Spanish). El Tiempo. pp. 1–311. ISBN 958-8089-16-6.

v t e Volcanoes of Colombia
Western Ranges	Azufral Cerro Negro de Mayasquer Chiles Cumbal
Central Ranges	Alto Mellizos Las Ánimas Bordoncillo Cerro Bravo Cerro Machín Doña Juana El Escondido Galeras Morasurco Nevado El Cisne Nevado del Huila Nevado del Quindío Nevado del Ruiz Armero tragedy Nevado de Santa Isabel Nevado del Tolima Patascoy Petacas Puracé Romeral San Diego Sotará
Eastern Ranges	Paipa-Iza volcanic complex
Other	Providencia El Totumo (mud volcano)
Source	• "Observatorios Vulcanológicos". Servicio Geológico de Colombia.
Category • Images

• Mountains of Colombia
• Stratovolcanoes of Colombia
• Active volcanoes
• Andean Volcanic Belt
• Complex volcanoes
• Decade Volcanoes
• Holocene stratovolcanoes
• Quaternary South America
• Subduction volcanoes
• Calderas of South America
• 20th-century volcanic events
• Geography of Nariño Department
• Pasto, Colombia
• Four-thousanders of the Andes
• Pleistocene stratovolcanoes