The Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia, renowned for its snow-capped peak and located between the departments of Tolima and Caldas, is experiencing accelerated thawing due to climate change, posing significant risks to the local ecosystem and the communities reliant on this natural resource.
Currently, only 7 square kilometers of glacier remain, highlighting the broader environmental challenges. This phenomenon is part of a larger issue affecting glaciers across Colombia, with many on the brink of disappearance. Nevado del Huila, a stratovolcano in the central Andes, continues to contribute to the hydrological system despite its significant glacial reduction. The Volcano Nevado de Santa Isabel, heavily impacted by climate change, faces the potential loss of its glacier by 2028, while the Volcano Nevado del Tolima, hosting the smallest glacier in the country, is at high risk of extinction.