Colombia volcano erupts

October 9th, 2009 Montserrat volcano spews ash, residents wear masksSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Rock falls from a spewing volcano stirred up more volcanic ash Friday on the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat, which lost half its population after a devastating eruption last decade. Dozens of small earthquakes accompanied ash plumes that have billowed up 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) this week, prompting officials to distribute masks to residents, said James White Jr., acting director of the Disaster Management Coordination Agency.

October 5th, 2009 Montserrat volcano shoots plume of ash into skySAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat shot a plume of ash more than two miles (three kilometers) into the sky Monday, lightly dusting the small Caribbean island. The venting by the Soufriere Hills volcano has been accompanied by more than 30 tiny earthquakes since Sunday night, according to Paul Cole, director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory.

September 30th, 2009 Gunman on horseback slays councilman in ColombiaBOGOTA — Colombian authorities say a gunman on horseback killed a town councilman and wounded an 11-year-old boy in the country's southeast. The president of the national councilman's federation, Fabior Estrada, says the slain politician, 41-year-old German Herrera, was the president of the town council in Castillo and a father of four.

September 6th, 2009 Nicaragua's San Cristobal volcano spews ashes, gasMANAGUA, Nicaragua — Nicaragua's San Cristobal volcano has let off a series of explosions, spewing gases and showering ash on nearby towns. There are no reports of injuries or damage.

July 29th, 2009 BOGOTA - Five civilians were killed and five injured in attacks launched by rebels in northwest Colombia, authorities said Tuesday. Tatiana Valencia, representative of the local government, said the attacks were launched by the Revolutionary Armed Force of Colombia (FARC), which has not been confirmed yet.

July 24th, 2009 Venezuela upset by pending US-Colombia pactCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez says Colombia should not underestimate Venezuela's concerns over the neighboring country's decision to forge stronger military ties with the United States. From Venezuela's point of view, Chavez said Thursday, it's like "opening your house for your neighbor's enemy." Colombian officials have said Venezuela should not be concerned by a pact being negotiated to let U.S.

July 17th, 2009 QUITO/BOGOTA - The US military has begun to dismantle its anti-drug-and-terrorism operations and its base in Manta, Ecuador, as its aircraft flew their last missions on Friday, the US embassy said. The equipment and planes appear headed to Colombia, which is negotiating with the US to take them in after Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa refused to extend the contract that ends in September.

July 14th, 2009 Alaska terminal near volcano to resume moving oilANCHORAGE, Alaska — An oil pipeline company plans to resume shipments from its terminal near the base of an Alaskan volcano that has sent hot boulders, huge ice chunks and mud flowing toward the terminal on several occasions since becoming active again in March. Delaware-based Cook Inlet Pipeline Co.

July 10th, 2009 Philippines' most active volcano restive againMANILA, Philippines — Scientists say the Philippines' most active volcano is rumbling again while emitting steam and a strong glow at the summit crater that can be seen with the naked eye. State volcanologists say the frequency of volcanic earthquakes has increased on Mayon signifying the possible movement of magma below the surface that could lead to ash explosions and eventually eruption.

July 2nd, 2009 Hawaii volcano glow snuffed out by falling rocksVOLCANO, Hawaii — The bright glow at the summit of Hawaii's Kilauea (KILL'-uh-WAY'-uh) volcano has been snuffed out by a series of large rock falls within its crater. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says the rock falls on Tuesday produced a seismic signal equivalent to a magnitude-2.4 earthquake.

June 7th, 2009 Scientists eye glowing volcano crater in HawaiiVOLCANO, Hawaii — The summit of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is glowing brightly as molten lava swirls 300 feet below its crater's floor, bubbling near the surface after years of spewing from the volcano's side. The expanding vent of Halemaumau crater helps confirm scientists' belief that the lava is close to the surface of the summit, said Janet Babb, a geologist and spokeswoman for the U.S.

May 5th, 2009 Scientists: another Mount Redoubt eruption likelyANCHORAGE, Alaska — Geologists in Alaska say the Mount Redoubt volcano may be getting ready to awaken after being relatively quiet for more than a month. Scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory say activity at the volcano about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage suggests a significant explosive event is likely with days — although that's not certain.

May 4th, 2009 Alaska volcano shows increased unrestANCHORAGE, Alaska — Mount Redoubt showed increased unrest Sunday as the volcano continued to rumble and grumble and produced a substantial ash and steam plume. On Sunday, scientists said there was a marked increase of seismicity at the volcano about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage.

April 24th, 2009 Indonesian volcano spews lava and ash into the skyJAKARTA, Indonesia — Officials say a volcano in central Indonesia is spewing ash and lava hundreds of meters (yards) into the air. But villagers living near Mount Slamet do not appear to be in immediate danger.

December 26th, 2008 BOGOTA - Five people including a former rebel have been shot dead in northwesten Colombia, local media reported Friday quoting police. The people were killed on Christmas day as they were driving to their country house in Arauca province.