Galeras

Pasto before Galeras (2005)

The volcano has a diameter at the base of about 20 kilometers and a crater diameter of 320 meters. The crater depth is 80 meters.

The eruptive activities in the area of the volcanic complex began years ago, more than 1 million. Two eruptions led to the formation of calderas. Several large explosive eruptions formed tephra deposits and pyroclastic flows poured over the southern flanks of the volcano. In the last 5000 years at least six major eruptions are suspected as well as a variety of smaller, about 20 alone in the 16th century In 1993, nine people were killed in an eruption. Among them were six geologists who carried out measurements in the crater. Members of this team were, among others, Néstor García, Igor Alexandrovich Menjailow and Stanley N. Williams. In November 2006 8000 surrounding residents had to be evacuated after a warning by the Instituto Colombiano de Geología y Minería ( Colombian Institute of Geology ).

The second last eruption took place in February 2009, some 8,000 people had to be brought into the province of Nariño in safety.

On 25 August 2010, the volcano erupted again. Residents were evacuated. Although the volcano has calmed down again in the meantime, according to the authorities, but there is a risk of further outbreaks and it was the warning " Yellow III " imposed.