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9 clusters · 79 sources · 53 days · First seen · Last updated

Puracé volcano activity and earthquake in Colombia

Overview

As of mid-September 2026, Colombia continues to manage a dual geological crisis involving the Puracé volcano and the aftermath of a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck near San José del Palmar, Chocó, on 10 August. The earthquake caused widespread destruction, with President Abelardo de la Espriella reporting 181 official deaths and 2,595 injuries, while regional authorities suggested the death toll could reach 240.

The Puracé volcano remains under an orange alert due to intensified volcanic dynamics. Between 1 and 3 September, the Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) recorded approximately 100 seismic events, primarily associated with rock fracturing at depths of 6 to 11 kilometers. Continuous tremor signals persist under the crater at depths of less than 2 kilometers, indicating the movement of volcanic fluids and gases.

Activity intensified between 12 and 13 September, when the SGC reported seven ash emissions. One notable emission on Sunday morning reached an altitude of approximately 1,200 meters above the crater, dispersing toward the northwest. Ashfall has been reported in the municipalities of Puracé and Popayán, specifically affecting the villages of Hato Viejo, Hispala, 20 de Julio, and the district of Coconuco.

Monitoring indicates ongoing sulfur dioxide emissions, rising ground-measured carbon dioxide levels, and slow ground deformation across the Puracé, Piocollo, and Curiquinga volcanoes. Due to the risk of sudden gas and ash releases, as well as secondary mudflows in the Vinagre, Anambío, and San Francisco rivers, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) advises the public to avoid craters and riverheads. Residents in Totoró and Puracé remain under permanent surveillance.

Entities

Servicio Geológico Colombiano · Puracé volcano · Cauca · Popayán · Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

  • "The official death toll from the earthquake is 181 people."

    vs

    "Regional authorities report at least 240 deaths and nearly 4,000 missing persons."

    The claims provide different official death tolls for the earthquake (181 vs at least 240).

  • "The official death toll from the earthquake is 181 people."

    vs

    "A magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia on August 11 resulted in at least 132 deaths." www.wowbiz.ro

    The claims report different death tolls (181 vs at least 132) and different earthquake dates (August 10 vs August 11).

  • "Regional authorities report at least 240 deaths and nearly 4,000 missing persons."

    vs

    "A magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia on August 11 resulted in at least 132 deaths." www.wowbiz.ro

    The claims report different death tolls (at least 240 vs at least 132) and different earthquake dates (August 10 vs August 11).

  • "The maximum magnitude recorded for these events was 2.7 ML." www.agronegocios.co · extra.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com

    vs

    "The highest magnitude earthquake recorded on August 30 was a 3.4 magnitude event in Istmina, Chocó." www.diariodecolombia.com · diariodelnorte.net · diariodelhuila.com

    The claims report different maximum magnitudes for the seismic events on August 30 (3.4 vs 2.7 ML).

Timeline

  1. 8 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 6 sources
    Puracé Volcano maintains orange alert after ash emissions

    The Puracé Volcano in Colombia remains under an orange alert after seven ash emissions were recorded, with one plume reaching 1,200 meters. Ashfall has affected parts of Puracé and Popayán.

  2. 18 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    Puracé Volcano remains under orange alert due to seismic activity

    Colombia's Puracé volcano is under an orange alert following approximately 100 seismic events, ash emissions, and rising carbon dioxide levels, according to the Servicio Geológico Colombiano.

  3. 21 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 6 sources
    Puracé Volcano remains under orange alert due to increased seismic activity

    Colombia's Puracé Volcano is under an orange alert due to increased seismic activity, ash emissions, and gas concentrations, with tremors felt in nearby cities like Popayán.

  4. 23 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 11 sources
    Puracé volcano remains under orange alert amid increased seismic activity in Colombia

    Colombia faces heightened seismic activity, including an earthquake swarm at the Puracé volcano under orange alert and multiple low-magnitude tremors across several departments.

  5. 25 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 17 sources
    Puracé volcano remains on orange alert amid ash emissions

    Colombia's Puracé volcano remains on orange alert following ash emissions reaching 3,250 metres. Concurrently, emergency crews are battling forest fires in Cumbal, Colombia, and Volcán, Argentina.

  6. about 1 month ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 40 sources
    Colombia faces dual crisis from magnitude 7.4 earthquake and Puracé volcanic activity

    A magnitude 7.4 earthquake and Puracé volcanic activity have caused widespread devastation in Colombia, leaving hundreds dead, thousands missing, and triggering regional emergency alerts.

  7. about 1 month ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 7 sources
    Puracé volcano in Colombia remains under orange alert

    The Puracé volcano in Colombia is under an orange alert following six ash emissions in 24 hours, causing ashfall in Popayán and surrounding areas.

  8. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 7 sources
    Colombia raises Puracé volcano alert to orange, declares public emergency

    Colombia’s geological service raised Puracé volcano to orange alert; the mayor declared a public emergency for the town of about 18,000 people.

  9. 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 10 sources
    Increased activity at Colombia's Puracé volcano forces airport shutdown

    Puracé volcano’s heightened seismic activity and ash plumes up to 2,200 m led to a yellow alert, airport closure in Popayán, flight restrictions, school suspensions, and health warnings in Cauca, Colombia.

Sources

7news.com.au · 98fmapucarana.com.br · abriendobrecha.tv · agronegocios.co · alertas24.com · ar.marca.com · arcoiris.com.co · ardealnews.ro · asuntoslegales.com.co · baoquangtri.vn · bbcmundo.com · boyacadigital.com · canaln.pe · cienciakanija.com · colombia.com · comunicandobelen.co · confirmado.net · csca.aha.cam.ac.uk · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar · diariocol.com.ar · diariodecolombia.com · diariodelcauca.com.co · diariodelhuila.com · diariodelnorte.net · diariodelsur.com.co · elblogdelministro.com · elciudadanoweb.com · eldigitalneuquen.com.ar · elespectador.com · elestimulo.com · ellibertario.com · elmonterizo.com · elnuevosiglo.com.co · elregional.cl · elsubmarinojujuy.com.ar · emisorasunidas.com · estamosaqui.mx · evreninsesi.com · extra.com.co · finde.latercera.com · gamelove.com · hsbnoticias.com · jujuyahora.com · lagacetasalta.com.ar · lanacion.com.co · laopinion.com.co · laotraverdad.co · lapampadiaxdia.com.ar

This summary has been updated 15 times: see revision history