BOGOTA , Colombia ( CNN ) -- The highest active volcano in Colombia erupted Monday night , prompting authorities to order the evacuation of up to 15,000 people . An eruption of Colombia 's Nevado del Huila volcano last year caused damaging mudslides . The Nevado del Huila volcano erupted at 11:08 p.m. Monday ( 12:08 a.m. Tuesday ET ) , according to the Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining . Officials urged 13,000 to 15,000 people to evacuate , according to Caracol Radio , a radio station . There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries . See an aerial view of the eruption » . The eruption amounted to a `` Level Red '' -- the institute 's most severe designation for volcanoes -- but authorities told Caracol Radio that darkness made it difficult to gauge precisely what had happened . Monitoring equipment confirmed an eruption , but authorities do not know whether it has produced a column of smoke or spilled lava , Marta Cavache , an official with the Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining , told the radio station . Authorities warned of possible avalanches and urged local officials to monitor the volume of rivers near the volcano , Caracol reported . Nevado del Huila , about 155 miles ( 250 kilometers ) southwest of Bogota , has a summit of 17,598 feet ( 5,364 meters ) . See a map of the volcano 's location » . Its first documented eruption occurred in the 16th century . It stood silent for more than 400 years , releasing only columns of steam , until an eruption last year that caused damaging mud flows , according to the Smithsonian Institution 's Global Volcanism Program . E-mail to a friend .
Darkness made it difficult to gauge time of latest eruption . Highest active volcano in Colombia erupted , forcing thousands to flee . Officials worried about possible flooding , debris flows and rising river levels .