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RUIZ Volcano had not erupted in over a century when the first volcanic
earthquakes were recorded in late 1984. Colombian and international
scientists monitored the volcano for over a year, recognized the possibility
that devastating lahars (volcanic mudflows) would be generated if an
eruption occurred, and published an accurate hazards map that clearly showed
vulnerable areas. Little was done to warn the threatened populations
though, and when the expected eruption finally took place on the evening of
November 13, no believable evacuation orders were given. Over 25,000 people
were needlessly killed that night on the flanks of Ruiz, and the scenes of
death and devastation I witnessed later that month will never be erased from
my memory. This eruption had major impact on my conscience, and I realized
the obligation of volcanologists to do more than "good science" -- we have
moral obligations to make sure that public officials fully understand and
act on our warnings and that they reach the threatened people in
understandable format.
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