Natural catastrophes

15.4, volcanic eruption

Colombia: the country’s Nevado del Huila volcano erupted in a shower of hot ash, prompting thousands of people to leave their homes. The remote volcano, 150 miles south-west of Bogota, erupted shortly before midnight and appeared less active at daybreak. The extent of the eruption was not clear, but even minor eruptions could cause landslides and flooding by melting the snow and ice cap atop the 17,484-foot volcano, and authorities maintained a red alert for settlements near the volcano. About 3,500 people were leaving or being evacuated from the villages of Belalcazar and Paez, which are susceptible to flooding of the Rio Paez. The eruption was preceded by seismic rumblings which started seven days earlier.