Cumbal Volcano
Updated: Jul 4, 2025 19:44 GMT -
stratovolcano
Colombia, 0.95°N / -77.87°W 
Summit height: 4764 m / 15,630 feet
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 15 Dec 2021
Cumbal volcano is an active glacier-capped stratovolcano in SW Colombia, located 25 km SW of Azufral volcano and 5.5 km NE of the town of Cumbal - Pueblo.
Cumbal is the southernmost active volcano of Colombia that has erupted in historic times.
A young lava dome occupies the 250-m-wide summit crater, and eruptions from the upper east flank produced a 6-km-long lava field. Thermal springs occur on the SE flanks.
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Cumbal volcano eruptions: 1926, 1877
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 22, 08:17 am (GMT -5) | 1.9 10 km | 24 km (15 mi) to the SE |  Colombia-Ecuador, Region Fronteriza | Info | |
Background
Cumbal volcano is elongated in a NE-SW direction and composed primarily of andesitic-dacitic lava flows, including many geologically young ones. Over time, the active vents seem to have migrated SW-wards:The 2 active craters, the main crater on the NE side and Mundo Nuevo crater on the SW side have active fumaroles and sulphur deposits and built the summit ridge, while the oldest vents are located NNE of Cumbal and Mundo Nuevo craters.
Significant volcanic eruptions: Cumbal volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Cumbal has had at least 2 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Cumbal volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Cumbal can be found on the news page of Cumbal volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Eruptions of Cumbal volcano
1988 volcanic unrest
Seismic unrest and an increase in fumarolic activity occurred in 1988, simultaneously with nearby Galeras volcano.
Seismic unrest and an increase in fumarolic activity occurred in 1988, simultaneously with nearby Galeras volcano.
Cumbal Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Cumbal volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Cumbal occurred in 1926.
+How often does Cumbal volcano erupt?
Since 1877, Cumbal volcano has had at least 2 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 74 years.
+How active is Cumbal volcano at present?
Cumbal volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had one eruption, which occurred in 1926.
+When was the largest eruption of Cumbal volcano?
The largest eruption of Cumbal volcano in historic times occurred in 1926. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Cumbal Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Cumbal volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Cumbal volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Cumbal volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Cumbal volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Cumbal volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Cumbal volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Cumbal volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Cumbal volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Cumbal volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Cumbal volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cumbal volcano (scale of few kilometers)
