Galeras, Active stratovolcano in Nariño Department, Colombia
Galeras is an andesite stratovolcano in Nariño, southwestern Colombia, rising 4,276 meters above sea level. Its western flank is partly missing due to earlier eruptions that opened the cone.
The first recorded eruption occurred on December 7, 1580, during Spanish colonial rule. More major events followed over the centuries and shaped the region.
The Quillacinga called this mountain Urcunina, or Fire Mountain, before it took the name of Spanish galleys. The name still connects volcanic power and indigenous understanding of this region today.
A 23-kilometer road connects San Juan de Pasto to the higher reaches of the volcano. A 117-kilometer circular route surrounds the whole structure for those seeking a broader view.
A flora and fauna sanctuary was created in 1985 and covers 8,600 hectares around the volcano. It also protects parts of several surrounding municipalities at higher elevations.
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