Galeras, Active stratovolcano in Nariño Department, Colombia
The Galeras volcano rises 4,276 meters above sea level, featuring a cone-shaped structure with its western section partially destroyed by past eruptions.
The first documented eruption of Galeras occurred on December 7, 1580, marking the beginning of recorded volcanic activity during the Spanish colonial period.
Indigenous Quillacinga people named this mountain Urcunina, meaning Mountain of Fire, before Spanish colonizers renamed it after Mediterranean sailing vessels.
A 23-kilometer road connects the city of San Juan de Pasto to the summit, while a 117-kilometer circular route surrounds the entire volcanic structure.
The Galeras Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, established in 1985, protects 8,600 hectares of land encompassing the volcanic edifice and upper regions of several municipalities.
Location: Nariño Department
Elevation above the sea: 4,276 m
Made from material: andesite
Website: http://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=351080
GPS coordinates: 1.22153,-77.35896
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:28
These volcanoes document Earth's geological forces. From Ecuador to Japan, they display various forms of volcanic activity. The selection includes Cotopaxi in Ecuador, Mount St. Helens in the USA, and Mount Fuji in Japan. Each volcano features distinct geological characteristics and historical eruptions
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