Nevado del Ruiz is the northernmost volcano of the Andean Volcanic
Belt, lying about 129 kilometers (80 mi) west of Bogotá in the Tolima
Department of Colombia. It is a stratovolcano, composed of many layers
of lava alternating with hardened volcanic ash and other pyroclastic
rocks. Nevado del Ruiz has been active for about two million years,
since the early Pleistocene or late Pliocene epoch, with three major
eruptive periods. The current volcanic cone formed during the "present"
eruptive period, which began 150 thousand years ago. Nevado del Ruiz
usually generates Plinian eruptions, which produce swift-moving
currents of hot gas and rock called pyroclastic flows. These eruptions
often cause massive lahars (mud and debris flows), which pose a threat
to human life and the environment. On November 11, 1985, a small
eruption produced an enormous lahar that buried and desolated the town
of Armero in Tolima Department, causing an estimated 23,000 deaths.
This event later became known as the Armero tragedy—the deadliest lahar
in recorded history. The volcano is part of Los Nevados National Park,
which also contains several other volcanoes. The summit of Nevado del
Ruiz is covered by large glaciers, although these have retreated
significantly since 1985 due to atmospheric warming.
Read the rest of this article:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevado_del_Ruiz>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
711:
According to estimations made by historian David Levering Lewis, Muslim
Arabs and Berbers led by Tariq ibn Ziyad defeated Roderic and the
Visigoths at the Battle of Guadalete.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Guadalete>
1848:
The two-day Women's Rights Convention, the first women's rights and
feminist convention held in the United States, opened in Seneca Falls,
New York.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_Falls_Convention>
1870:
A dispute over who would become the next Spanish monarch following the
deposition of Isabella II during the 1868 Glorious Revolution led
France to declare war on Prussia.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-Prussian_War>
1916:
World War I: Australian forces engaged the Germans at the Battle of
Fromelles in France, described as "the worst 24 hours in Australia's
entire history" since 5,533 Australian soldiers were eventually killed,
wounded or taken prisoner in the failed operation.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fromelles>
1947:
Burmese nationalist Aung San and six members of his newly-formed
cabinet were assassinated during a cabinet meeting.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aung_San>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
legwork (n):
1. (idiomatic) Work, especially research, that involves significant
walking, travel, or similar effort
2. Skillful or vigorous use of the legs, as in dance or sports
<http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/legwork>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Everyone has talent at twenty-five. The difficulty is to have it at
fifty.
--Edgar Degas
<http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Edgar_Degas>