Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
Volcano Status: Historical
Last Known Eruption: 1991
Summit Elevation: 5321 m 17,457 feet
Latitude: 4.895°N 4°53’43″N
Longitude: 75.322°W 75°19’21″W
Nevado del Ruiz is a broad, glacier-covered volcano in central Colombia that covers >200 sq km. Three major edifices, composed of andesitic and dacitic lavas and andesitic pyroclastics, have been constructed since the beginning of the Pleistocene. The modern cone consists of a broad cluster of lava domes built within the summit caldera of an older Ruiz volcano. The 1-km-wide, 240-m-deep Arenas crater occupies the summit. The prominent La Olleta pyroclastic cone is located on the SW flank, and may also have been active in historical time. Steep headwalls of massive landslides cut the flanks of Nevado del Ruiz. Melting of its summit icecap during historical eruptions, which date back to the 16th century, has resulted in devastating lahars, including one in 1985 that was South America’s deadliest eruption.
Steam on the mountain in July 2007
The area is included in Los Nevados National Park, and is easily accessible by road. It is probably the most popular climbing area in Colombia, as well as a popular ski spot in winter. Some snow remains on the mountain year-round. Nevado del Ruiz is not only the highest mountain in the region, but is one of the easiest to ascend, straight up the snowy west slope from a parking lot at the base of the mountain. A popular alternative is a traverse of Ruiz, Nevado de Santa Isabel, Nevado Quindio, and Nevado del Tolima, all of which top 5000 meters.
Nevado del Ruiz (Mauro González)
Nevado del Ruiz
- Nevado del Ruiz Eruption
Originally posted 2010-08-17 04:25:12.
