Village Flees Colombia Volcano

About 8,000 village residents evacuate; no injuries reported

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 18, 2008 8:52 AM CST

(Newser) – A volcano erupted in southwestern Colombia last night, lighting up the night sky with lava and throwing volcanic ash miles into the sky. The mayor ordered the evacuation of the 8,000 or so people who live near Mount Galeras, but one seismologist said that most of the city is not in danger. No serious injuries have been reported, the AP says.

It’s the volcano’s biggest eruption since it reactivated in 1989. Lava flow was mostly confined to the volcano’s crater, but “depending on the wind direction, it’s going to spread ashes over the entire area,” predicted one seismologist. “Mount (Galeras) eruptions are violent and short.” A 1993 eruption killed nine, including five scientists who were studying the crater.

Map locates Galeras volcano in Colombia; 1c x 2 1/8 inches; 46.5 mm x 54 mm (Associated Press)

This video frame released by the Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining, INGEOMINAS, shows the Galeras volcano erupting in Pasto, southern Colombia, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008. The volcano spread ashes... (Associated Press)

This photo released by the Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining, INGEOMINAS, shows the Galeras volcano spreading smoke and ashes in Pasto, southern Colombia, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008. The volcano... (Associated Press)

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About 8,000 village residents evacuate; no injuries reported

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Colombian Volcano Sends 15,000 Fleeing

Spitting hot ash; lava could follow

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Colombian pair made pact after one diagnosed with AIDS, prosecutors say

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$43M project planned in central Oregon

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Transferred cash, drugs across international borders

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Jakadrien Turner should be home in Dallas tonight

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About 8,000 village residents evacuate; no injuries reported

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Colombia • volcano • Mount Galeras

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Colombian Volcano Sends 15,000 Fleeing

Spitting hot ash; lava could follow

Dead Priests Hired Own Hit Men

Colombian pair made pact after one diagnosed with AIDS, prosecutors say

Geothermal Hope: Pump Water Into Volcano, Turn It Into Power

$43M project planned in central Oregon

Feds Helped Mexican Drug Honcho Move Millions

Transferred cash, drugs across international borders

Teen Wrongly Deported to Colombia Is Back in US

Jakadrien Turner should be home in Dallas tonight

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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What is Newser?