INGEOMINAS reported that during 15-22 November steam from Galeras rose from the main crater, two craters to the N and SW (Paisita and Chavas, respectively), and a crack on the N flank of the active cone. Seismicity was at low levels, although some earthquakes were characterized as "tornillo-type." During 23-24 November the seismic network detected an emerging seismic pattern of "tornillo-type" earthquakes similar to patterns detected prior to past eruptions. Gas emissions also decreased. INGEOMINAS raised the Alert Level to II (Orange; "probable eruption in term of days or weeks") on 24 November.

Geological Summary. Galeras, a stratovolcano with a large breached caldera located immediately west of the city of Pasto, is one of Colombia's most frequently active volcanoes. The dominantly andesitic complex has been active for more than 1 million years, and two major caldera collapse eruptions took place during the late Pleistocene. Long-term extensive hydrothermal alteration has contributed to large-scale edifice collapse on at least three occasions, producing debris avalanches that swept to the west and left a large open caldera inside which the modern cone has been constructed. Major explosive eruptions since the mid-Holocene have produced widespread tephra deposits and pyroclastic flows that swept all but the southern flanks. A central cone slightly lower than the caldera rim has been the site of numerous small-to-moderate eruptions since the time of the Spanish conquistadors.

Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)