Puracé Volcano in Cauca changes to orange alert, due to sudden increase in seismic activity

The Colombian Geological Service, SGC, changed the Puracé Volcano alert to orange this Friday, due to the sudden increase in seismic activity in recent days.

According to the entity, since April 29, the volcano has increased the number of events and the energy released, both from earthquakes associated with rock fracturing and those associated with the activity of fluids inside it.

The Geological Service recommends to the community in general «“Do not approach the crater area, since with the current level of activity of the Puracé volcano there is a great risk of being affected by gases or ash emissions that may occur suddenly.”

This volcano, according to SGC, It is located in the department of Cauca. “In its area of ​​influence there are mainly indigenous, peasant communities, and the municipalities with the highest risk of threat, in the event of a considerable eruption, are Puracé, Popayán and Sotará,” they reported.

Increases gas emissions

«The slow deformation process that began in April 2022 between the Puracé and Curiquinga volcanoes continues to be recorded. An increase in gas emission continues to be observed through the lateral fumarole north of the crater rim and inside it, with high levels in the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and in the flow of sulfur dioxide ( SO2)»the SGC reported in an extraordinary bulletin.

They reiterated that for months the activity of the Puracé volcano has been gradually increasing, and has reached levels that are considered important, far above those that characterize a volcano in a state of yellow alert.

«As of the date of writing this bulletin, volcanic activity continues to evolve at higher levels than previously recorded, and therefore the change in alert status is determined.indicated the entity.

And they add: «While the Orange alert status is maintained, temporary fluctuations may occur
in the activity levels of the volcano, that is, at some times its activity may decrease
compared to previous days or weeks, but this does not necessarily imply that the volcano has
returned to a state of stable activity.