Colombia Volcanoes
Colombia has 14 Holocene volcanoes. Note that as a scientific organization we provide these listings for informational purposes only, with no international legal or policy implications. Volcanoes will be included on this list if they are within the boundaries of a country, on a shared boundary or area, in a remote territory, or within a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone. Bolded volcanoes have erupted within the past 20 years. Suggestions and data updates are always welcome ().
Volcano Name | Last Eruption | Volcanic Region | Primary Landform |
---|---|---|---|
Azufral | 930 BCE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Cerro Bravo | 1720 CE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Chiles-Cerro Negro | 1936 CE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Cumbal | 1926 CE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Dona Juana | 1906 CE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Galeras | 2014 CE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Nevado del Huila | 2012 CE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Machin | 1180 CE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Purace | 2023 CE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Cluster |
Romeral | 5390 BCE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Nevado del Ruiz | 2024 CE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Santa Isabel | 850 BCE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Shield |
Sotara | Unknown - Evidence Credible | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Nevado del Tolima | 1943 CE | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Chronological listing of known Holocene eruptions (confirmed or uncertain) from volcanoes in Colombia. Bolded eruptions indicate continuing activity.
Volcano Name | Start Date | Stop Date | Certainty | VEI | Evidence |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purace | 2023 Nov 16 | 2023 Nov 16 | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 2022 Mar 29 | 2022 Mar 29 | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 2014 Nov 18 | 2024 Dec 19 (continuing) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 2012 May 13 | 2014 Jan 30 ± 1 days | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 2012 Feb 22 | 2013 Jul 12 (?) | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | [2011 Mar 31] | [2011 Apr 1] | Uncertain | ||
Galeras | 2010 Aug 25 | 2010 Aug 25 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Huila | 2008 Oct 26 (?) | 2012 Jan 14 (?) | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 2008 Oct 21 (?) | 2010 Jan 2 (?) | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Huila | 2008 Jan 2 | 2008 Apr 16 (?) ± 15 days | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 2007 Oct 4 | 2008 Jan 17 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Huila | 2007 Feb 19 | 2007 May 28 (?) | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 2005 Nov 24 | 2006 Jul 12 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 2004 Jul 16 | 2005 Feb 7 (?) | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 2002 Jun 7 | 2002 Jun 7 (?) | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 2000 Mar 21 | 2000 May 18 | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | [1994 Apr 23] | [1994 Apr 23] | Uncertain | ||
Galeras | 1993 Jan 14 | 1993 Jun 7 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1990 Jan 7 | 1992 Jul 16 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1989 Feb 19 | 1989 May 9 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1985 Sep 11 | 1991 Jul 13 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1984 Dec 22 | 1985 Mar 19 (?) | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1977 Mar 19 | 1977 Mar 28 (?) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1974 Jul 2 ± 182 days | 1983 Jul 2 (?) ± 182 days | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | [1973 May 16 ± 15 days] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Purace | 1957 Jul 2 ± 182 days | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1956 Jul 2 (in or before) ± 182 days | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1950 Jan 12 | 1950 Sep 5 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1949 May 26 | 1949 Jun 11 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | [1947 Jul 15] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Purace | 1947 Apr 27 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1946 Mar | 1946 Apr | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Tolima | 1943 Mar | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Chiles-Cerro Negro | 1936 Jul 17 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1936 Feb 9 | 1936 Aug 27 (?) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | [1933] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Galeras | 1932 Oct 10 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | [1930 Apr 17] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Purace | 1927 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Cumbal | 1926 Dec 20 | 1926 Dec 21 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1926 Aug | 1926 Sep | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1925 Oct 12 | 1925 Nov 5 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1924 Oct | 1927 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1924 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1923 Dec 8 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1916 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1906 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1902 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1899 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Dona Juana | 1897 Nov 1 | 1906 | Confirmed | 4 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1891 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1889 Jul 3 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1885 May 25 | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1881 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1878 Aug 31 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Cumbal | 1877 Dec | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1870 Oct | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1869 Oct 4 | 1869 Nov | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1865 Oct 2 | 1870 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1860 ± 9 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1847 Oct 27 | 1852 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1845 Feb 19 | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1840 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | [1836] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Purace | 1835 Jan 23 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1834 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | [1833] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Nevado del Ruiz | 1831 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1829 Jun 18 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1828 Oct 24 | 1834 Mar | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1828 Jun | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1827 Nov 18 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Tolima | 1826 May | 1826 Jun 17 (in or after) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | [1826] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Nevado del Tolima | 1825 Mar 2 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1823 Jun 17 | 1823 Jun 24 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Tolima | 1822 Nov (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Purace | 1816 | Unknown | Confirmed | Observations: Reported | |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1805 Mar 14 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1796 Nov | 1801 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1754 | 1756 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Cerro Bravo | 1720 ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Correlation: Tephrochronology |
Galeras | 1670 | 1736 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1641 | 1643 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1623 | Unknown | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1616 Jul 4 | 1616 Jul 4 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1595 Mar 9 (in or before) | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Observations: Reported |
Galeras | 1580 Dec 7 | 1580 Dec 7 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1570 | Unknown | Confirmed | Observations: Reported | |
Nevado del Huila | 1555 ± 5 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Observations: Reported | |
Nevado del Ruiz | [1541] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Galeras | 1535 | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1350 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Cerro Bravo | 1330 ± 75 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Machin | 1180 ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Cerro Bravo | 1050 ± 75 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Galeras | 0890 ± 200 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Cerro Bravo | 0750 ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Machin | 0750 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Nevado del Ruiz | 0675 ± 50 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Nevado del Ruiz | 0350 ± 300 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Nevado del Tolima | 0260 ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Purace | 0160 BCE ± 50 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Nevado del Tolima | 0200 BCE ± 200 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Nevado del Ruiz | 0200 BCE ± 100 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Galeras | 0490 BCE ± 100 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Nevado del Tolima | 0610 BCE ± 200 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Machin | 0650 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Cerro Bravo | 0730 BCE ± 75 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Nevado del Ruiz | 0850 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Correlation: Tephrochronology |
Santa Isabel | 0850 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Azufral | 0930 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Cerro Bravo | 1050 BCE ± 200 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Correlation: Tephrochronology |
Galeras | 1160 BCE ± 300 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Nevado del Ruiz | 1245 BCE ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Cerro Bravo | 1310 BCE ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Azufral | 1650 BCE ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Azufral | 1850 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Nevado del Tolima | 1990 BCE ± 200 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 5 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Azufral | 2095 BCE ± 100 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Machin | 2100 BCE ± 200 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Machin | 2240 BCE ± 300 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Dona Juana | 2550 BCE ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Galeras | 2580 BCE ± 500 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Machin | 2650 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Galeras | 3150 BCE ± 200 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Nevado del Tolima | 3500 BCE ± 300 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Santa Isabel | 3550 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Machin | 3800 BCE ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Cerro Bravo | 4280 BCE ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Santa Isabel | 4800 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Nevado del Tolima | 5160 BCE ± 200 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Nevado del Tolima | 5310 BCE ± 100 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Romeral | 5390 BCE ± 350 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Santa Isabel | 5500 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Romeral | 6510 BCE ± 200 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Nevado del Ruiz | 6660 BCE (in or before) | Unknown | Confirmed | Correlation: Tephrochronology | |
Galeras | 7050 BCE ± 1000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Correlation: Tephrochronology | |
Nevado del Tolima | 7800 BCE ± 300 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Colombia has 9 Pleistocene volcanoes. Note that as a scientific organization we provide these listings for informational purposes only, with no international legal or policy implications. Volcanoes will be included on this list if they are within the boundaries of a country, on a shared boundary or area, in a remote territory, or within a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone. Suggestions and data updates are always welcome ().
Volcano Name | Volcanic Region | Primary Volcano Type |
---|---|---|
Animas | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Cutanga | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Caldera |
El Escondido | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Minor |
Petacas | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Minor |
Nevado del Quindio | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Composite |
San Augustin-Isnos | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Cluster |
San Diego | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Minor |
Santa Rosa | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Shield |
Unnamed | Northern Andean Volcanic Arc | Cluster |
There are 35 photos available for volcanoes in Colombia.

Photo by Norm Banks, 1989 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by José Macías, 1996 (Universidad Autómona de México).

Satellite image courtesy of Copernicus Sentinel Data, 2018.

Photo by Norm Banks, 1895 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Minard Hall, 1985 (Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito)

Photo by Tom Pierson, 1985 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Tom Pierson, 1985 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Tom Pierson, 1985 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Federmán Escobar Chávez, 2005.

Photo by José Macías, 1996 (Universidad Autómona de México).

Photo by Minard Hall, 1985 (Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito)

Photo by Norm Banks, 1989 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Norm Banks, 1989 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Juan Carlos Diago, 1995 (courtesy of Bernardo Pulgarín, INGEOMINAS, Colombia).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1985.

Photo by Norm Banks, 1985 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Tom Pierson, 1985 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Tom Pierson, 2010 (USGS, Cascades Volcano Observatory).

Photo by José Macías, 1996 (Universidad Autómona de México).

Photo by Bernardo Pulgarín, 1996 (INGEOMINAS, Colombia).

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2017 (https://www.planet.com/).

Photo by Norm Banks, 1989 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Norm Banks, 1989 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1985.

Photo by Norm Banks, 1985 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by John Ewert, 1989 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo courtesy of Marta Calvache, 1936 (INGEOMINAS-Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur).

Photo by Tom Pierson, 2010 (USGS, Cascades Volcano Observatory).

Photo by Jean-Claude Thouret (Université Grenoble).

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2020 (https://www.planet.com/).

Photo by Tom Pierson, 1985 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by David Lescinsky, 1988 (University of Western Ontario).

Photo by Minard Hall, 1985 (Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito)

Photo by Norm Banks, 1985 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by David Lescinsky, 1988 (University of Western Ontario).
This is a compilation of Colombia volcano information sources, such as official monitoring or other government agencies.
Volcanic Ash Advisory Center | |
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Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) | |
- Washington VAAC Archive | |
- Washington VAAC Notices |