Puracé volcano records eight ash emissions in 24 hours

Puracé volcano released ash eight times in 24 hours, with the highest emission rising 240 meters above its summit, Colombia’s Geological Service said. The activity occurred between the afternoon of Aug. 31 and the publication of the agency’s bulletin.

The volcano, located in the southwestern department of Cauca, has been under orange alert since Aug. 1 because of the risk of an eruption. Cristian Santacoloma, coordinator of the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Popayán, said the volcano’s activity had increased continuously.

The rise has included stronger seismic activity linked to degassing at levels very close to the crater’s surface. The Geological Service cautioned that activity could temporarily fall without indicating that the volcano had returned to a stable level.

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The volcano has had a continuous increase in its activity, reflected in the increase in seismic activity associated with degassing located at levels very close to the crater’s surface.

Over the weekend, officials recorded about 50 earthquakes linked to rock fracturing in the volcano’s area of influence. Some measured between magnitude 2.8 and 4.1. The activity was located 11 kilometers northeast of the crater at a depth of nine kilometers.

Puracé lies 27 kilometers from Popayán and forms part of the Los Coconucos volcanic chain, which includes 15 cones. Its last major eruption occurred in March 1977, although the volcano has shown gradual changes in activity since 2021.

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This activity was located 11 kilometers northeast of the Puracé volcano’s crater, at a depth of nine kilometers. Approximately 50 seismic events occurred, including some with magnitudes between 2.8 and 4.1.