The Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) has issued an alert after the Puracé volcano showed a significant increase in seismic and eruptive activity.
This escalation puts surrounding communities in the Cauca department on high alert as authorities monitor the potential for more dangerous eruptions. The volcano is located within the Los Coconucos volcanic chain, where geological instability can impact local infrastructure and public safety.
According to the SGC, officials recorded 15 emissions of ash and gases [1]. This activity follows a spike in seismic events that was first detected on the night of Wednesday, July 10, 2026 [4]. Further instability was noted during the weekend of July 20-21, 2026 [2].
There are conflicting reports regarding the current status of the alert level. Some official reports and news outlets state the volcano is under a yellow alert [2], which indicates a state of instability. However, other reports suggest the alert level has been raised to orange [3], a higher tier signifying a more immediate threat of eruption.
Jaime Raigosa, the coordinator of the Popayán volcanological and seismological observatory of the SGC, has been monitoring the situation. The agency said the increase in tremors and ash emissions led to the elevation of the alert to protect nearby populations [2].
Local authorities continue to track the volcano's behavior to determine if the orange alert is the active status or if the yellow alert remains in effect. The SGC said the monitoring process is essential to mitigate risks for the residents of the Cauca region [3].
“The Servicio Geológico Colombiano recorded 15 emissions of ash and gases.”
The discrepancy between yellow and orange alert reports suggests a rapidly evolving situation or a lag in official communication. Because the Puracé volcano is part of the active Los Coconucos chain, any shift toward an orange alert indicates a transition from general instability to a high probability of an eruption, requiring more aggressive evacuation planning for the Cauca department.
