The Servicio Geologico Colombiano (SGC) reported continuing eruptive activity at Puracé during 30 December 2025-7 January 2026. Seismicity was characterized by pulses of tremor, long-period signals indicating fluid movement, and periods of continuous tremor. The seismicity was located at depths of less than 1.5 km and was related to internal movement of gases as well as emissions. Daily gas-and-ash emissions, 2-11 per day, were associated with some seismic signals and visible in webcam images rising 200 to over 800 m above the summit and drifting downwind, mainly NE, NW, and W; weather conditions sometimes obscured views. Significant sulfur dioxide emissions were detected in satellite data. Elevated temperatures in the crater area continued to be detected and were possibly associated with the emissions of hot gases. White gas-and-steam emissions, first observed on 18 November, continued to rise from the fissure on the inner N wall. Ashfall was reported in Coconuco (12 km WNW) and Popayán (28 km NW) during 31 December-1 January. Ashfall and gas odors were reported in the Cristales area (27 km NW) during 3-4 January. Low-magnitude seismic activity associated with rock fracturing processes was located beneath Piocollo volcano at depths of 1-2 km during 5-7 January. On 6 January high amounts of rainfall on areas of ash deposits produced a secondary lahar down the Cocuy River drainage on the NE flank of the Puracé, Piocollo, and Curiquinga volcano chain. 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)