The Day Colombia’s Sky Turned Black

On November 13, 1985, the Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted with little warning, sending a massive lahar down the slopes that buried the town of Armero and killed over 20,000 people. This episode explores the geological mechanics behind the disaster, focusing on the pyroclastic flows that melted the glacier cap and the devastating mudflows that followed. We examine the tragic role of miscommunication between local officials and national authorities, and how the story of Omayra Sánchez became a global symbol of the crisis. By looking at the scientific failures and the political responses in Tolima, we understand how a natural catastrophe was amplified by human error, reshaping Colombia’s approach to disaster management and international aid forever.

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