The alert for another possible eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in central Colombia remains high, while families in the area have returned to normal activities after an evacuation Saturday, reported newspaper El Tiempo Tuesday.
The volcano, located between the central departments of Tolima and Caldas, briefly erupted on Saturday, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders on the same day. Local volcanologists have warned more eruptions are probable.
The Manizales Volcanological and Seismological Observatory is continuing to observe the volcano using webcams while the government’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies is monitoring the behavior of nearby rivers and the Colombian Air Force is on call, ready to aid evacuation efforts in the face of another eruption.
Teams of medical personnel, paramedics and paratroopers from air units are available for towns closest to the volcano such as Melgar in the Tolima department, Puerto Salgar in the Cundinmarca department, Catam in Bogota and Rio Negro in Antioquia.
A 250-meter column of gas and ash shot up out of the volcano Monday and was heading west, reminding residents of the existing danger.