Puracé volcano in Colombia remains under orange alert

The Puracé volcano in the Cauca department of Colombia remains under an orange alert due to heightened volcanic activity. The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) reported six ash emissions within a 24-hour period, with significant pulses occurring on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

Ashfall has been reported in the municipality of Coconuco, the villages of Cristales and Cobaló, and the city of Popayán. Technical monitoring indicates that sulfur dioxide flows remain above average and carbon dioxide concentrations in the soil continue to rise. The SGC stated that recent instrumental values represent a significant alteration in the volcano's dynamics, as they have exceeded established baseline behaviors.

Authorities have warned the public to avoid the crater areas of the Puracé, Piocollo, and Curiquinga volcanoes due to the sudden risk of gas or ash emissions. Local risk management agencies have called for calm while technical assessments continue to evaluate seismic activity and gas column height.