Over 8,000 Evacuated After Galeras Volcano Eruption in Colombia

Southern Colombian authorities have issued red alert and started evacuation of more than 8,000 people living near the Galeras volcano, which erupted on Wednesday, the Caracol radio reported on Thursday.

Photo: Over 8,000 Evacuated After Galeras Volcano Eruption in Colombia

Colombian seismologists warn that a second explosion of the volcano, considered the most active in the country, is imminent. The seismic event began on Tuesday, with an earthquake of 4.6 on the Richter scale registered close to the top of the 4,276-meter volcano, followed by some 400 aftershocks of varying intensity. The volcano erupted on Wednesday and now emits plumes of smoke and ash, RIA Novosti informs.

Galeras is located near the country’s southern border with Ecuador. Located in Columbia’s Andes Mountains, the towering volcano is approximately 310 miles southeast of Bogota.

The volcano has erupted with relative regularity over the past 10 years. In 1993 an eruption killed nine scientists and tourists who were at the summit when it erupted, Examiner says.