A new natural phenomenon is generating concern at the national level, it is about the gases and the combustion fire on the slopes of the Cerro Bravo volcano. Given this, experts and the Colombian Geological Service itself have spoken out, since misinformation and theories have been generated that try to explain the reason for the natural phenomenon.
On the one hand, Guillermo Rein, a professor in London, spoke on Caracol Radio. Rein clarified that what is happening in Cerro Bravo is a latent combustion fire and that it does not have a flame. Likewise, he indicated that the conflagrations inside the mountain spread slowly, and that by their nature they are difficult to put out. In this way, he assured that he believes that it is probably that “the ground is burning.”
In addition, the teacher stated that the work of the authorities is important so that this event does not get out of control, so he recommended the use of infrared cameras, the collection of gases and the creation of maps on hot spots. He also explained that the natural phenomenon can last for months or years.
On the other hand, the Colombian Geological Service mentioned that the gases are not volcanic. “From the Colombian Geological Service we rule out that the gases that are coming out of one of the slopes of the Cerro Bravo volcano are volcanic.” The foregoing was argued by the entity with four reasons, among which is the ruling out of volcanic activity.
“After the analyzes carried out on May 21, and after five field commissions that began on May 13, we found that the temperature anomaly is not related to the activity of the Cerro Bravo volcano or the Nevado del Ruiz volcano (22 km away)”, they confirmed from the SGC.” In addition, they commented that geochemical analyzes show that there are concentrations of methane gas greater than those in volcanic areas, “as well as the absence of volcanic gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO2).”
Another reason that the SGC indicates to rule out that the gases that are coming out of one of the slopes of the Cerro Bravo volcano are volcanic has to do with the fact that Cerro Bravo remains stable. At the same time, they pointed out that despite the high temperatures in the soil, which were 700°C, no relationship with volcanic activity was found. In addition, the gas outlets are superficial and localized and do not come from inside the volcano.
In this way, the SGC commented that with the high temperatures one may come to think that “the reddish color inside the rock can be confused with molten rock (magma)”
