Volcano Fury Wipes Out Armero: 23,000 Lives Lost in Devastating 1985 Disaster

Shares fell to zero in the small Colombian town of Armero on November 13, 1985, as a devastating avalanche triggered by the eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano buried the town under a thick layer of mud and debris. The disaster, which occurred 38 years ago, resulted in the deaths of over 23,000 people, making it one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions in Latin American history. The town of Armero, once a thriving agricultural community, was completely destroyed in the disaster, with entire neighborhoods and buildings swept away by the massive mudflow. According to local residents, the avalanche, which was triggered by the collapse of the volcano's ice cap, reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, leveling everything in its path. "It was like a wall of mud," said Fernando Angarita, a veterinarian who lived in Armero at the time. "We were caught completely off guard. It was like nothing we had ever seen before." The Nevado del Ruiz volcano, located in the Andes mountain range, had been dormant for centuries before its catastrophic eruption in 1985. The disaster was exacerbated by deforestation and heavy rainfall in the area, which made the terrain more susceptible to landslides and mudflows. "The combination of the volcano's eruption and the deforestation in the area created a perfect storm," said Dr. John Smith, a geologist who has studied the disaster. "It's a classic example of how human activities can contribute to natural disasters." In the years following the disaster, the Colombian government established a memorial in Armero to honor the victims of the tragedy. The memorial, which features a large stone monument and a museum, serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of the disaster on the town and its residents. "The memorial is a way to remember the people who lost their lives in the disaster," said Maria Rodriguez, a local resident who lost her family in the tragedy. "It's a way to honor their memory and to ensure that their sacrifice is not forgotten." Today, the town of Armero is still recovering from the disaster, with many residents continuing to live in makeshift shelters and struggling to rebuild their lives. However, the town is also working to rebuild and restore its economy, with many residents involved in agriculture and tourism. "We're working hard to rebuild our town and to create a better future for ourselves and our children," said Angarita. "It's a long and difficult process, but we're determined to succeed." As the 40th anniversary of the disaster approaches, the town of Armero is preparing to mark the occasion with a series of events and ceremonies. The events, which will include a memorial service and a reenactment of the disaster, are expected to draw large crowds and to raise awareness about the importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation. "We want to use this anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the disaster and to learn from it," said Rodriguez. "We want to make sure that something like this never happens again."