Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Nevado Del Ruiz Volcano Eruption in Colombia
Imagine a giant mountain that's been sleeping for a very long time suddenly wakes up and roars!
This happened in Colombia a long time ago.
A big volcano named Nevado Del Ruiz, which had been quiet for almost 400 years, erupted.
When it erupted, it sent hot ash and rocks down its sides, melting the ice at the top.
This created a fast-moving river of mud and debris, like a giant mudslide.
This giant mudslide rushed down the mountain and buried a whole town called Armero.
So many people and buildings were covered up, and sadly, many people lost their lives.
It was a very sad and shocking event for the people living nearby.
The Nevado Del Ruiz volcano in central Colombia erupted on November 15, 1985.
The eruption occurred after the volcano had been dormant for nearly 400 years.
A massive mudflow buried the town of Armero, destroying 90% of it.
The disaster killed up to 20,000 people and injured 25,000.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation with the town completely buried under ash and debris.
- Who
- The Nevado Del Ruiz volcano
- What
- Erupted, causing a devastating mudflow that destroyed the town of Armero, killing thousands.
- When
- November 15, 1985
- Where
- Central Colombia
- Why
- The volcano erupted after being dormant for nearly 400 years, leading to massive debris flows.
- Date
- November 15, 1985
- Location
- Central Colombia
- Volcano
- Nevado Del Ruiz
- Peak Height
- 5,400 meters
- Town Destroyed
- Armero
- Armero Population
- 21,000
- Estimated Deaths
- Up to 20,000
- Injured
- 25,000