nevado del Ruiz 1985 volcano

Question 1

where did it happen

Answer 1

west Columbia

Question 2

tectonic plates involved

Answer 2

nazca plate subducted beneath South American plate

Question 3

first seismic activity

Answer 3

-noticed in 1984
-fumarole activity
-deposits of sulphur on volcano summit

Question 4

eruption

Answer 4

-ash sent 30km into the air
-mass of erupted material 35 million metric tons

Question 5

what did the eruption cause

Answer 5

-pyroclastic flows which melted glaciers and snow on the summit
-lahars which ran down the volcanoes sides at 40mph and reached a width. of 50m

Question 6

primary effects

Answer 6

-pyroclastic flows melted glaciers forming lahars
-50m wide
-travelled 12m per second
-3400 hectares lost

Question 7

secondary effects

Answer 7

150,000 animals killed by lahars

Question 8

immediate responses

Answer 8

-Red Cross were first to organize medical care

Question 9

long term responses

Answer 9

Columbia established a plan for warning and evacuation areas at risk from another eruption