The Eruption of Nevado Del Ruiz Volcano Colombia, South America, November 13, 1985 (1991) / Chapter Skim
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4 Preeruption Awareness and Preparedness
4 Preeruption Awareness and Preparedness
Pages 49-57
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From page 49... ...
to illustrate lahar risk since 1845 did little to convince those at risk that volcanoes are a major and significant Colombian natural hazard. This is illustrated by a 1985 Colombian Civil Defense publication, What to do in Case of Disaster.
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From page 50... ...
This lack of local experience with volcanic hazards, and, thus, the virtual absence of volcano risk perception among the Ruiz area residents, was likely a major obstacle faced by those scientists and officials who recognized the danger, engaged in preparedness for an emergency, and sought to ready the public to respond. INITIAL THREAT DETECTION The ability to predict the precise time and magnitude of a natural disaster depends on two factors: the current state of scientific knowledge about a particular disaster and local observations of precursor activities to the disaster.
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From page 51... ...
The preliminary request sought funding to prepare a volcanic risk map for Ruiz; it was recognized that such a map would be needed to help make good hazard preparedness decisions. A preliminary version of the risk map was completed on October 7, 1985, and it was accompanied by an explanatory report entitled Mapa Prelirrunar De Riesgos Volcanicos Potenciales Del Nevado Del Ruiz (Preliminary Map of Potential Volcanic Risks Associated with Nevado del Ruiz)
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From page 52... ...
The map was revised in November 1985 in a report issued on the 10th of that month, Mapa De Riesgos Volcanicos Potenciales Del Volcanicos Nevado Del Ruiz. This revised map and report were based on additional scientific data, but both maps foretold the total inundation of Arm ero in the event of an eruption.
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From page 53... ...
In September 1985, after hazard maps work was under way, the director of civil defense created a plan for emergency response to the risk and eruption of Nevado del Ruiz. The plan was based on an assessment of what still remained to be accomplished and was prepared in concert with the National Committee of Regional and Local Organizations, which was established to address the threat of an eruption of Ruiz.
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From page 54... ...
Civil Defense held conferences in the cities of Arm era, Chinchina, and Honda to provide risk and preparedness information. Although the Colombian Congress had criticized both the Colombian Civil Defense and INGEOMINAS, claiming that their efforts to increase awareness might scare the public, the study team found no evidence of public fear resulting from the effort to inform those at risk.
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From page 55... ...
Second, there was a detailed discussion of the agenda for a major committee meeting two days later on November 15, 1985. The agenda for this meeting was to be quite detailed and aimed at fine-tuning emergency response plans (for example, updating census data on river bank populations)
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From page 56... ...
The flyer describes recommended emergency measures in the event of a volcanic eruption.
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From page 57... ...
This risk recognition was slower in coming for some groups than others. However, it was also reported to the study team that both the Colombian Congress and officials in Armero did not recognize the risk to be as great as did the other aforementioned groups.
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