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Nevado Del Ruiz

In November 1985, the 17,716 feet Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Western Columbia erupted, emitting an ash cloud that rose over 45,000 feet in the air. Superheated lava poured out of the crater, melting the snowcapped volcanic cone. The ash, lava, and water turned into a river of mud (known as a lahar) that raced down the mountainside toward the valley floor. This liquid avalanche was as high as 50 feet and moved up to 30 mph. It buried the city of Armero. Buildings were either covered with tons of volcanic debris or demolished and carried down the river channel. When all was said and done, at least 20,000 were dead or missing. This volcanic hazard triggered one of the worst disasters in Columbia’s history.