What is Galeras?
{{Infobox mountain | name = Galeras | photo = DSCN8766.JPG | photo_caption = Galeras in December 2005 | elevation_m = 4276 | elevation_ref =<ref name=gvp>{{cite gvp|vn=351080|name=Galeras|accessdate=2008-12-27}}</ref> | prominence = | location = [[Nariño Department|Nariño]]<br />{{COL}} | range = [[Cordillera Central (Colombia)|Central Ranges]]<br />&nbsp;[[Andes]] | map = Colombia | map_caption = Location of Galeras in Colombia | coordinates = {{coord|1|13|16|N|77|21|33|W|region:CO|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref =<ref name=gvp /> | type = [[Complex volcano]] | age = | volcanic_arc/belt = [[North Volcanic Zone]] | last_eruption = 2012 to 2014<ref name=gvp /> | first_ascent = | easiest_route = }} '''Galeras''' ('''Urcunina''' among the 16th-century [[native people]]) is an [[Andes|Andean]] [[stratovolcano]] in the [[Colombia]]n department of Nariño, near the departmental capital [[Pasto]]. Its peak rises {{convert|4276|m|ft|0}} above [[sea level]]. It has erupted many times since the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spanish conquest]]. Its first historical [[eruption]] was recorded on December 7, 1580.<ref>{{in lang|es}} [http://www.lablaa.org/blaavirtual/geografia/pasto/parte1/cap3-13.htm PASTO: Geographical, Economics and Culture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211634/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/geografia/pasto/parte1/cap3-13.htm |date=2016-03-03 }}</ref> A 1993 eruption killed nine people, including six scientists who had gone down into the volcano's crater to take samples of gases and measure gravity in an attempt to be able to predict future eruptions.<ref>[http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/eruption-survivorx2019s-tale Eruption: A Survivor's Tale], [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]]</ref> It is currently the most active volcano in Colombia. == Geological history == Galeras has been an active volcano for at le