Today in history: Volcano eruption burys towns in Colombia

On this day in 1985, a volcano erupts in Colombia, killing well over 25,000 people and nearby towns are buried in mud, ice and lava.

The Nevado del Ruiz volcano is situated in the north-central part of Colombia. When the Nevado del Ruiz went for an extended period of time without erupting, people began to build towns over the mudflow areas and glacial ice built up near the volcano’s crater.

In the last few months of 1984, activity picked up at the volcano. Multiple tremors were recorded and geologists from around the world travelled to Colombia to observe the situation. Scientists recommended evacuating the area, however, their advice were largely ignored.

The town of Chinchina was first to be hit, the worst scene of destruction was the city of Armero. The wave of mud, rock and ice was nearly 100 feet high as it travelled down the city.