World Map › Major Eruptions › Nevado del Ruiz 1595
Historic Eruption
1595 Eruption of Nevado del Ruiz
12 March 1595 · Stratovolcano · Colombia
On 12 March 1595, Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia erupted. The volcano rises to 5,279 m. Its Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 4 out of 8, that of a cataclysmic eruption ejecting more than 0.1 km³ of material. It killed at least 636 people. Most deaths were caused by lahars (volcanic mudflows).
- Date
- 12 March 1595
- Volcano
- Nevado del Ruiz
- Volcano Type
- Stratovolcano
- Elevation
- 5,279 m
- Country
- Colombia
- Explosivity Index (VEI)
- 4 out of 8
- Deaths
- 636
- Main Causes of Death
- Lahars
Other Significant Eruptions of Nevado del Ruiz
- 1985November 1985 Eruption · VEI 3 · Lahars23,080 deaths
- 1845February 1845 Eruption · VEI 3 · Lahars1,000 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database (doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH) · Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program