Nevado del Ruiz

Question 1

hazards

Answer 1

tephra ejected 30 km +
700000 metric tons of sulphur dioxide
pyroclastic flows melted snow generating 4 lahars
speeds of around 60kmph
reached river valleys and quadrupled in size

Question 2

impacts

Answer 2

employment income due to disruption and destruction of economic activity

70% Armero’s residents killed by mudflows
lahars killed 23000+
50 schools destroyed
crops and livestock

lahars wreaked destruction on local vegetation

Question 3

prediction/preparation/response

Answer 3

local gov. was warned of a large eruption but this was not communicated to the public
only knew of eruption when ash cloud was seen
Red Cross ordered evacuation but not carried out due to electrical problems
storm prevented any knowledge of ongoing activity at Ruiz
oblivious of lahars