[Geology2] 'Red alert' issued for Colombian volcano after non-explosive eruption

'Red alert' issued for Colombian volcano after non-explosive eruption

By the CNN Wire Staff

August 26, 2010 9:12 a.m. EDT

Colombian officials have urged about 7,000 people to evacuate the area around the Galeras volcano.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Galeras volcano previously erupted in January
• A slight plume of smoke and ash was seen Wednesday
• The volcano is in southwestern Colombia

(CNN) -- Colombian authorities have issued a red alert, the highest level, for the Galeras volcano, because a non-explosive eruption occurred early Wednesday.

Images show a slight plume of smoke and ash emanating from the volcano, which is in southwestern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador.

Officials have called on about 7,000 nearby residents to evacuate to one of nine shelters in the area, but only 205 people had gone to four of the structures by Wednesday morning, the Ministry of Interior and Justice said in a news release.

The volcano is not in a heavily populated region, and there were no reports of injuries or structural damage.

Galeras, an ancient volcano that previously erupted in January, became active again in 1989.The only fatalities were in 1993, when nine people -- all scientists or tourists in or near the volcano's crater -- were killed.

The volcano's summit stands about 14,000 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level.

Source

--
Got Penguins?
http://penguinnewstoday.blogspot.com/
http://penguinology.blogspot.com/
http://wiinterrr.blogspot.com/

>^,,^< 

__._,_.___

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___