Hours after the strong earthquake of magnitude 7.4 recorded at 7:34 a.m. with an epicenter in San José del Palmar (Chocó), the Puracé volcano —in the Los Coconucos volcanic chain—, Colombia, showed a new pulse of activity with gas and ash emissions. Reports and visual recordings from Monday morning, around 10:30 a.m., show ash columns displaced southwestward by the wind, according to testimonies and material disseminated from the area.
So far, the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) has not issued an extraordinary bulletin confirming a direct relationship between the tectonic earthquake in Chocó (of intermediate depth, associated with the subduction dynamics of the Nazca plate) and the activity of Puracé.
The volcano has been in orange alert status since August 1 due to significant changes in its internal parameters, and authorities maintain continuous monitoring from the Popayán Volcanological and Seismological Observatory. The National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) continues the follow-up from the National Crisis Room and reiterates not to approach the areas of the Puracé, Piocollo, and Curiquinga craters.
Activity in previous days
The sustained increase began to be noticed from July 20, 2026, with an increase in the energy of seismic signals linked to fluid movement (gases and magmatic liquids) beneath the crater, at depths less than 1-3 km. This was accompanied by columns of gas and ash up to 3,400 meters above the summit, estimated temperatures near 140 °C, and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions reaching historic highs of up to 4,200 tons daily, the highest values since the start of instrumental monitoring.
On August 1, the SGC raised the alert from yellow to orange. In the following days, multiple ash emissions were recorded (up to six in 24 hours at certain times), with material falling on paths in the municipality of Puracé, Coconuco, and sectors of northern Popayán. Ground deformation between the volcanic buildings and increased CO₂ concentrations in the soil were also observed.
In the bulletins from August 7 to 9, the SGC reported that, although the number of earthquakes and the height of ash emissions had temporarily decreased (for example, three emissions with a maximum height of about 300 meters between August 8 and 9), the SO₂ flow remained above the historical average (around 1,900-2,100 t/day), and CO₂ in the soil continued to rise. Long-period seismicity and continuous tremor persisted beneath the crater at less than 1 km depth, while rock fracture earthquakes remained at low levels.
The SGC has emphasized that, under orange alert, temporary fluctuations downward may occur without indicating a return to stability. The change to yellow alert would only be evaluated after a prudent period of comprehensive analysis of all parameters.
Authorities recommend the community to heed only official information from the SGC, mayors, and the Cauca Governorate, and to follow instructions from risk management agencies. No evacuation orders have been reported so far. Monitoring continues 24 hours a day.