The director of the SGC’s Geohazards technical area, John Makario Londoño, highlighted the scientific impossibility of predicting volcanic eruptions and emphasized the importance of being prepared for any eventuality. He also warned about the risks of approaching the crater due to the possible sudden emission of gases or ash.
The Geological Service explained that during the orange alert state, temporary fluctuations in the volcano’s activity may occur, which does not indicate a return to stability.
“An increase in the emission of gases 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 Geological Service announced in a statement.
The Puracé volcanic threat map shows that indigenous and peasant communities are the most exposed in the event of a major eruption, especially in municipalities such as Puracé, Popayán, Soratá, and indigenous territories such as Kokonuko and Paletará, among others.
The entity points out 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.
“Seismic activity, the deformation recorded on the surface of the volcano, the physicochemical parameters in the waters, the characteristics of the gases and the temperature, have presented important changes. As of the date of preparation of this bulletin, volcanic activity continues to evolve at higher levels than those previously recorded, and therefore the change in alert status is determined,” the bulletin explains.
The orange alert indicates significant changes in monitored parameters, such as seismicity, ground deformation and gas emissions, which increases the probability of major eruptions. The SGC recommends that authorities and communities define evacuation zones, implement protection measures, strengthen geoscientific knowledge and carry out evacuation drills, among other preventive actions.
“The community in general is recommended not to 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,” they emphasized.
