The Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported continuing eruptive activity at Puracé during 2-9 December. Seismicity was characterized by tremor and long-period signals indicating fluid movement, periods of continuous tremor, and earthquakes indicating rock fracturing located at depths of 1-3 km. Daily gas-and-ash emissions rose 100-900 m above the summit and drifted downwind. On 3 December a temperature increase within the crater was identified in satellite data. During 2-3 December minor ashfall was reported in areas to the SE including Cristales and Agua Hirviendo. Ashfall on 3 December was reported in the Cristales area and Casa de Cabildo of Puracé (N), in Río Negro and Paletará council (16 km SW), in the Agua Hirviendo hot springs (11 km WNW), and in San Juan (NE). The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale) and the public was warned to stay away from the crater.

Geological Summary. Puracé is an active andesitic volcano with a 600-m-diameter summit crater at the NW end of the Los Coconucos Volcanic Chain. This volcanic complex includes nine composite and five monogenetic volcanoes, extending from the Puracé crater more than 6 km SE to the summit of Pan de Azúcar stratovolcano. The dacitic massif which the complex is built on extends about 13 km NW-SE and 10 km NE-SW. Frequent small to moderate explosive eruptions reported since 1816 CE have modified the morphology of the summit crater, with the largest eruptions in 1849, 1869, and 1885.

Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)