Nevado del Ruiz

Nevado del Ruiz is an active stratovolcano in the Caldas Department of Colombia rising to 5,389 meters (17,680 feet) above sea level. The crater measures one kilometer across and is surrounded by glacier surfaces that give the summit its white appearance.

An eruption in 1985 generated mudflows that destroyed the town of Armero and killed more than 23,000 people. Since then, the mountain has been continuously monitored to prevent further disasters.

Local communities in the surrounding valleys have long known the mountain as both a source of fertile volcanic soil and a constant threat. Farmers today grow coffee on its slopes while watching smoke signals from the crater as part of daily life.

The Colombian Geological Survey operates stations around the volcano to measure seismic activity. This monitoring provides early warnings for residents in the surrounding regions.

Four active fault lines intersect beneath the volcano, creating a geological system that influences its eruptive behavior. This arrangement makes each eruption difficult to predict and adds complexity to scientific monitoring efforts.

Location: Caldas Department

Location: Risaralda Department

Elevation above the sea: 5,389 m

Made from material: andesite

GPS coordinates: 4.88194,-75.31782

Latest update: December 15, 2025 01:01