Monday 20 Jan 2025, the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) raised the official alert level of Puracé, because minor ash emissions had started from the volcano's summit crater. This followed the detection of volcanic tremor that had started late Sunday (January, 19, 2025) at 11.06 pm local time.
The Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported that seismic tremor at Puracé increased at 2356 on 19 January with events located in the NW part of the Los Coconucos volcanic chain. An ash emission rose 1.4 km above the Curiquinga crater rim and drifted SW, causing a notable sulfur odor in the towns of Puracé (11 km NW) and Coconuco (12 km WNW), along with ashfall in Coconuco, Timbío (34 km WNW), Popayán (30 km NW), and Sotará (23 km W). The emission was detected by pressure sensors, was visible in webcam images, and was observed by nearby residents.
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Popayán, Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) lowered the Alert Level for Puracé to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) on 5 July noting that activity had declined and stabilized. Seismicity had increased around 24 April, peaked during 30 May-6 June with the highest daily number of earthquakes recorded since instrumental monitoring began, and then declined to pre-unrest levels during the past few weeks. The magnitudes of the earthquakes decreased to less than M1.
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Popayán, Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported that seismic activity at Puracé decreased during 21-24 May and continued to be at pre-29 April levels. Both volcanic tremor (VT) associated with rock fracturing and long-period (LP) events associated with fluid movement were located less than 2.5 km beneath Puracé crater and had low magnitudes. Gas emissions from the crater and the N flank fumarole were occasionally visible in webcam views.
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Popayán, Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported that the daily number of both volcanic tremor (VT) and long-period (LP) seismic events at Puracé trended downward during 14-21 May, and by the end of the week had reached pre-29 April levels. The VT events had low magnitudes and were located at depths up to 2.4 km beneath the volcano and its E flank. The largest VT events, M 1.5, were recorded at 1821 on 14 May and at 0711 on 16 May.
Wed, 15 May 2024, 14:00
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Popayán, Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported that the number of both volcanic tremor (VT) and long-period (LP) seismic events at Puracé were stable during 7-13 May with only a slight increase in both the number and intensity of LP events on 9 May. The VT events had low magnitudes and were located at depths up to 4 km beneath the volcano and its E flank. The largest VT events were a M 1.8 recorded at 2351 on 7 May and at 2202 on 10 May.
Read allWed, 8 May 2024, 14:00
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Popayán, Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported that the number of both volcanic tremor (VT) and long-period (LP) seismic events at Puracé increased during 23-29 April. The events had low magnitudes and were located at depths of 0-5 km; the VT events were located beneath the Puracé, Piocollo, and Curiquinga cones. Sulfur dioxide emissions had increased in the previous few weeks and carbon dioxide emissions continued to be above baseline levels at a fumarole on the N crater rim.
Read allTue, 7 May 2024, 03:03
![Purace volcano on 3 April (image: Servicio Geológico Colombiano)]()
Purace volcano on 3 April (image: Servicio Geológico Colombiano)
The Servicio Geológico Colombiano reported that the seismic activity at the volcano decreased significantly over the past two days.
Read allSun, 5 May 2024, 11:00
![Purace volcano on 3 April (image: Servicio Geológico Colombiano)]()
Purace volcano on 3 April (image: Servicio Geológico Colombiano)
Since the declaration of the Orange alert status, a seismic activity related to fracture and fluid movements has exhibited a consistent pattern in terms of the number of events and released energy.
Read allWed, 10 Jan 2024, 15:00
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Popayán, Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported increased unrest at Puracé on 5 January. A sudden increase in carbon dioxide emissions was detected during the morning and decreased through the day; increased gas emissions were visible in webcam images during the afternoon. Seismicity increased at 1450 and continued at high levels at least through 1715, the time the report was issued.
Read allSun, 7 Jan 2024, 04:47
![Purace volcano (image: Servicio Geológico Colombiano)]()
Purace volcano (image: Servicio Geológico Colombiano)
The Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) reported that an increased seismic activity at the volcano has been observed over the past few days.
Read allWed, 29 Nov 2023, 15:00
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Popayán, Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported that at 1929 on 16 November the seismic network recorded a signal at Puracé associated with an ash-and-gas emission. Ash deposits on the N flank were confirmed by an observer the next day. SGC noted that localized deformation between Puracé and Curiquinga volcanoes continued to be recorded.
Read allWed, 22 Nov 2023, 15:00
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Popayán, Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported that at 1929 on 16 November the seismic network recorded a signal at Puracé possibly associated with an ash-and-gas emission. An emission was not confirmed in webcam images due to darkness. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (the second lowest on a four-color scale).
Read allFri, 17 Nov 2023, 07:56
![Purace volcano (image: Servicio Geológico Colombiano)]()
Purace volcano (image: Servicio Geológico Colombiano)
The Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) issued a report that seismic recordings started to detect a new seismic signal at the volcano since 07:29 PM local time yesterday.
Read allThu, 26 Oct 2023, 04:43
![Purace volcano (image: Servicio Geológico Colombiano)]()
Purace volcano (image: Servicio Geológico Colombiano)
The Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) noted that an elevated seismic activity occurred at the volcano.
Read allFri, 29 Apr 2022, 07:03
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Popayán, Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC), reported that during 19-25 April the number and magnitudes of earthquakes at Puracé was similar to the previous week. Signals included 72 volcano-tectonic (VT) events, indicating rock fracturing, along with 207 long-period (LP) events and 14 low-energy tremor pulses, indicating fluid movement. Data from the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) geodetic network continued to show inflation on the centimeter scale.
Read allWed, 13 Apr 2022, 23:59
On 29 March Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Popayán, Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC), reported that the number of earthquakes at Puracé had increased during the previous few weeks, and were characterized by volcano-tectonic (VT) events, indicating rock fracturing, and long-period (LP) and volcanic tremor (TR) events, indicating fluid movement. The number of events notably increased on 28 March, with 479 VT, 183 (LP), and 119 (TR) events in total. The magnitudes of events abruptly increased the next day; the largest event was a M 3.3 recorded at 1214 on 29 March.
Read allWed, 6 Apr 2022, 20:04
The Popayán Observatory, part of the Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported that there was an increase in the number of volcano-tectonic earthquakes associated with rock fractures at Puracé. On 28 March, 479 volcanic tremors, 183 long-period (LP), and 119 volcanic tremor (TR) events were detected. Seismicity was detected 800 m SE from the crater at average depths of 2 km.
Read allThu, 31 Mar 2022, 01:51
![Puracé volcano (image: sgcol/twitter)]()
Puracé volcano (image: sgcol/twitter)
The volcano observatory Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) raised
the alert status to "yellow", as an elevated seismic activity has been recorded over the past two days characterized by picking up both in numbers and strength.
Read allFri, 25 Jan 2013, 11:05
A magnitude 3.0 earthquake occurred on 25 Jan 2013 at 08:13 local time 9.5 km NE of the volcano.
Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)
Puracé volcano eruptions:
