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Colombian Galeras volcano erupted on Saturday
New Delhi: The south-west Colombian Galeras volcano erupted on Saturday, forcing authorities to declare a red alert and urge an evacuation of people living in the vicinity of the volcano. A Red Cross representative reported a "very high ash cloud" and urged the 8,000 people living near the volcano to ecavuate. The spokesman said some parts of the forst on the volcanic mountain had caught fire because of lava flowing from the volcano's mouth. The volcano is located close to the city of Pasto where a lot of tourists are staying because of the city's world-famous carnival. In 2009, the volcano, considered the most active in Colombia, erupted three times.
Galeras is considered the most active volcano in Colombia, followed by Nevado del Ruiz. Its earliest activity during the Holocene has been dated at 7050 BC ± 1000 years through radiocarbon dating. Other eruptions similar to this event include those in 3150 BC ± 200 years, 2580 BC ± 500 years, 1160 BC ± 300 years, 490 BC ± 100 years, and in 890 AD ± 200 years. Typically these eruptions consist of a central vent explosion, conducive to an explosive eruption causing pyroclastic flows and/or lahars. Eruptions in more recent times, which have been recorded consist of those in 1535, December 1580, July 1616, 1641, 1670, 1754, November 1796, June 1823, October 1828, 1834, October 1865, July 1889, 1891, December 1923, October 1924, October 1932, February 1936, July 1947, January 1950, 1974, February 1989, January 1990, January 1993, March 2000, June 2002, July 2004, November 2005, and October 2007. Reported incidents with no official proof occurred in 1836, 1930, 1933, and 1973.






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Famous volcanoes (not verified)at 01:41 on March 20th, 2010
Galeras has been considered Colombia's most active volcano since coming back to life in 1989. A 1993 eruption killed nine people, including five scientists who had descended into the crater to sample gases. In November 2005, the volcano spewed ash that fell up to 50 kilometers (30 miles) away.
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Jehnavi (not verified)at 01:42 on March 20th, 2010
Geologists can predict new volcanic activity, by analyzing the series of events that led to previous eruptions.www.travelfront.com/names-of-famous-volcanoes/