Nev. Del Ruiz - Lahars

Question 1

Hazards

Answer 1

• tephra ejected 30km+
• 700k metric tonnes of sulphur dioxide
• 30m high, 50m wide
• speeds around 60kmph
• reached river valleys and x4 in size

Question 2

Impacts

Answer 2

• lower employment income due to disruption and destruction of economic activity
• 70% of Armero’s residents killed by mudflows
• lahars killed 23k+, 50 schools destroyed
• 2 hospitals and more than 5000 homes destroyed, left 7500+ homeless
• lahars destroyed local vegetation, 30% of crops and 60% of livestock

Question 3

Prediction/Prep

Answer 3

• local gov warned of large eruption, but didnt communicate to public.
• only knew abt eruption when ash cloud was seen
• evacuation was ordered but never carried out due to elec problems.
• storm prevented any external knowledge of the ongoing activities at Ruiz