Nevado del Huila (/nɛˈvɑːdoʊ dɛl ˈwɪlə/, Spanish pronunciation: [neˈβaðo ðel ˈwila]) is the tallest volcano in Colombia, standing at 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). It is located where the departments of Huila, Tolima, and Cauca meet. The volcano can be seen from the city of Cali. It is an andesitic volcano, meaning it is made of andesite rock, and sits on top of the Ibagué Batholith.

After being inactive for more than 500 years, the volcano became active again in 2007 and 2008. By February 20, 2007, more than 7,000 minor earthquakes had been recorded, and a high alert level was in place for the departments of Cauca, Huila, Caldas, and Valle del Cauca. The volcano erupted twice in April 2007, once in April 2008, and again in November 2008. Any eruption would impact nearby villages, especially Páez, where people remember the 1985 eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, which caused the Armero tragedy.

Eruptions

On April 18, 2007, the volcano erupted twice, causing avalanches that entered the Paez River. This event raised water levels in the Magdalena River. More than 4,000 people were evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

Nevado del Huila became active again in March 2008. After many earthquakes inside the volcano, Colombian authorities issued a yellow alert on March 18. The alert was raised to orange on March 29, meaning an eruption might happen within two weeks. Hundreds of people were evacuated. On April 14, 2008, at 11:08 pm, an ash eruption occurred, causing the government to issue a red alert and evacuate 13,000 to 15,000 people near the mountain. The red alert was lowered to orange on April 16 after less activity was observed.

On November 20, 2008, the volcano erupted at 02:45 GMT (21:45 local time), according to the Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining. Colombian authorities immediately began a large-scale evacuation. Some towns reportedly refused to leave. No injuries were reported at the time. On November 23, 2008, BBC News, citing Colombian authorities, reported that the eruption had caused ten deaths. About 12,000 residents were evacuated, and emergency services could not reach some remote areas. The eruption caused an avalanche of earth and debris that damaged homes, bridges, and crops in plantations. The towns of Paicol, La Plata, and Belalcázar along the Páez River were affected.

Extensive monitoring equipment, part of the national disaster prevention system, helped reduce large-scale deaths. This system includes training for people in high-risk areas and alarms in nearby towns. President Álvaro Uribe ordered the Colombian Air Force to establish an "air bridge" to deliver supplies to isolated towns along the Páez River.