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

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. (More volcano stories.)

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