Colombian Authorities Issue Extraordinary Bulletin Following Seismic Swarm at Purace Volcano
The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) has issued an extraordinary bulletin after recording a sudden swarm of more than 50 earthquakes near the Purace Volcano in the southwestern department of Cauca.
The intense seismic activity, which peaked with a 4.1 magnitude tremor on Saturday evening, sent ripples of panic through nearby municipalities still on edge from the country’s recent seismic catastrophes. Despite the sudden spike in tremors, authorities are maintaining the volcano’s alert level at Orange.
Seismic activity at the volcano began on Saturday afternoon
The seismic swarm began shortly after 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, activating local emergency management protocols across the Los Coconucos volcanic chain. According to the SGC, monitoring stations detected a total of 58 seismic events localized approximately 11 kilometers northeast of the main crater, primarily in the San Rafael valley sector, at an average depth of nine kilometers.
The most significant tremor, registering a magnitude of 4.1, struck at 6:18 p.m. and was distinctly felt by residents in the city of Popayan, as well as in the rural municipalities of Purace and Totoro. Other notable quakes in the cluster registered magnitudes of 3.9, 3.1, and 2.8.
Cristian Santacolma, coordinator of the Popayan Volcanological and Seismological Observatory, clarified the exact nature of the phenomenon to calm an anxious public. He explained that these are volcano-tectonic events, which are physically caused by the fracturing of solid rock deep within the volcanic edifice.
Santacolma emphasized that this specific swarm is a response to increasing internal geological pressure causing the earth’s subterranean crust to give way and break, rather than the movement of magma fluids or the imminent expulsion of volcanic gases. He noted that while this activity represents a notable release of internal energy, it can occur in areas where geological fault lines interact directly with an active volcanic system.
The Purace Volcano will remain on Orange Alert
Because the monitoring instruments have not detected alarming changes in other critical parameters, such as sudden gas emissions or ash fall, the SGC has decided to maintain the Purace Volcano on Orange Alert.
This status indicates that an eruption is probable within days or weeks, a level that has been active for several weeks and is now under heightened, continuous monitoring following the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia earlier in the month.
In response to the tremors, the SGC has issued strict recommendations for local communities. Authorities are urging residents to remain calm, avoid spreading rumors, and rely exclusively on official updates from the geological service and the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).
Furthermore, Santacolma strongly warned civilians and tourists to completely avoid the high-altitude zones surrounding the Puracé, Curiquinga, and Picollo volcanoes while the subterranean rock fracturing continues.