Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Colombia: Volcanic eruption causes evacuation
A volcano in southwestern Colombia has erupted for the third time in a month, sending a column of smoke up to five miles above the rim (eight kilometers) and spewing ash on nearby towns. No damages or injuries have been reported.
The two eruptions of Mount Galeras on Friday marked the third time the volcano has come to life recently. It also erupted on Feb. 14 and Feb. 20.
On Feb. 14, the eruption blanketed the nearby provincial capital of Pasto in ash and prompted the evacuation of 7,000 people living in its shadow.
Friday's eruptions also led officials to prepare shelters for nearby residents as a preventive measure. A volcanic observatory in Pasto reported that ash fell in different directions over towns closest to the volcano.
# posted by kevin : 9:35 PM
