Colima, Mexico
- Colima is located 280 miles (450 km)
west of Mexico City. Nearly 300,000 people live within 25 miles (40
km) of the volcano. It is considered Mexico's most dangerous and active
volcano. In 1991, Colima produced a dome that rose 100 ft (30 m) above
the crater rim. The dome collapsed producing flows on the upper slopes
of the volcano. Bombs were also shot from the volcano during this event,
causing several brush fires.
- November 8, 1999
- On 29 October, the Colima Volcano released
two small ash events. The ash rose to approximately 19,000 feet above
sea level (~ 6 km). On 4 November, there was another ash eruption to
18,000 feet (~5.5 km) above sea level.
- October 29, 1999
- 28 October, the Colima Volcano released
smoke and ash 2,950 feet into the sky. Colima continues to accumulate
energy, and volcanologists now fear an even more powerful eruption.
- October 26, 1999
- On 24 October, approximately 3 steam-and-ash
exhalations were emitted from the Colima Volcano. The first exhalation
rose ~1,500 m above the crater. No ballistic ejections or pyroclastic
flows were reported.
- October 13, 1999
- On 12 October, at ~11.59 hrs (local time),
there was a moderate steam and ash explosion at the Colima Volcano.
Ten minutes prior to the explosion, the Red Sismologica Telemetrica
de Colima notified the Colima Civil Protection System about the increased
activity. The column rose 2,000 m over the crater. Villagers of La Becerrera
(12 km to the SW of the crater) heard the explosion and reported a light
ash fall. Also, ground reports of an eruption at 1700 GMT on 12 October
with ash cloud to 20,000 feet (~6 km).
- October 8, 1999
- On 6 October, light ash fell on the village
of La Yerbabuena (8 km to the SW of the Colima Volcano). The ash fall
lasted only a few minutes. Villagers reported hearing "jet"
sounds coming from the volcano's crater. The Red Sismologica Telemetrica
de Colima warned civil protection authorities that nearby villages need
to remain alert.
- July 29, 1999
- On 29 July, a strong explosion occured
at the Colima Volcano. The pyroclastic flows and rockfalls ran 5-5.5
km along the La Lumbre gully (volcano's west flank). Following the explosion,
a relatively intense ashfall occurred on the village of La Yerbabuena.
More intense ashfall was noted at some towns located on the S and SE
sectors of the volcano. A light ashfall was noticed in the city of
Colima.
- July 26, 1999
- On 19 July, a block and ash flow occurred
on the Colima Volcano due to a collapse on the south flank. A hot lahar
(4 km in length) was caused by heavy rains a few hours after the flow.
- July 20, 1999
- The Colima Volcano erupted on July 17
and sent a four-mile plume of smoke into the sky. Colima is considered
to be the most active volcano in Mexico. Six communities located on
the slopes of the mountain were evacuated. There were no casualties
reported.
- July 6, 1999
- Colima exhibited a slight increase in
seismicity and an increase in explosive events/degassing events on 2
July.
- June 22, 1999
- On 16 June 1999, the Colima Volcano had
three explosive events. Colima continues to be restless and dangerous.
The most significant explosive activity/degassing event occurred on
18 June.
- June 16, 1999
- On 14 June 1999, the seismic activity
for the Colima Volcano is waning. However, the volcano is restless and
evacuations remain in place. On 7 June, nine explosions/degassing events
occurred. Another explosion occurred on 8 June.
- June 11, 1999
- Since 1 June 1999, the Colima Volcano
has been experiencing explosive activity. Six explosions occured 2 June.
On 5 June, there were four explosive events. The volcano continues to
be in an active and dangerous state, and there is the possibility of
a strong explosion. Evacuations of the surrounding communities are still
in effect.
-
- May 11, 1999
- A strong explosion occurred at the summit
dome of the Colima Volcano. The shockwave could be felt in the city
of Colima. An eruptive column rose up to more than 7,000 m.a.s.l. The
Civil Protection authorities reported that the explosion triggered two
small pyroclastic flows that descended on Barranca La Lumbre. The ballistic
projectiles reached distances up to 4.5 km, causing small fires on the
Southern, Western, Northern, and Southwestern parts of the edifice.
-
- February 22, 1999
- Activity at Colima has increased over
the last 24 hours. Four explosive eruptions have occurred at the summit.
There has also been an increase in seismic activity. The new danger
zone has a radius of 6.5 miles (10 km) from the summit.
-
- February 14, 1999
- Further explosions and small earthquakes
forced the evacuation of about 350 more individuals from the flanks
of Colima on February 14. Small pyroclastic flows have accompanied many
of these explosions. Army troops remain in the area to guard villages
against looting.
-
- February 11, 1999
- Toxic gasses released during an eruption
of Colima forced the evacuation of 118 people from the town of San Marcos.
Vulcanologists detected sulfur dioxide in the volcano's emissions. An
eruption plume from the event reached heights of 3 miles (5 km). There
were no injuries or property damage caused by the eruption, but grass
fires were started from a small lava flow.
-
- January 5, 1999
- The eruption that began in November is
waning. The lava flows have not lengthened significantly since late
December. The main flow is 9000-10,000 ft (2700-3000 m) long and 1500
ft (500 m) wide. The active second flow is about 7000 ft (2200 m) long.
Small block and ash flows occur from the margins of this flow. Both
flows are flowing down the Cordoban Ravine. Areas that were evacuated
due to recent acivity are permitting indivicuals to return.
-
- November 19, 1998
- Nearly 250 people have been evacuated
from villages surrounding Colima due to warnings that an eruption is
likely to occur within days. Thousands of small tremors have been recorded
at the volcano. A plume was seen above the volcano on November 18. Planes
surveying the volcano recorded temperatures of 1,470 degrees Fahrenheit
(800 degrees Celsius) inside the crater. Lava was also reported to have
risen high within the crater and is in danger of spilling over the crater
rim.
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