Bogotá: Colombia has issued an orange alert for the Puracé volcano following increased volcanic activity, as a preventive measure in case of an eruption, authorities said.
The alert for Puracé, located in southwestern Colombia, was raised on August 1 after monitoring systems recorded the volcano's highest activity levels since observations began in 1993. The elevated activity began on July 20.
"During this period, gas and ash columns of up to 3,400 meters above the summit of the Puracé volcano have been observed, reaching estimated temperatures of around 140°C. In addition, monitoring systems have recorded an increase in sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions into the atmosphere, with estimated flow values of up to 4,200 tons per day. This has been accompanied by an increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels measured in the soil, with a concentration of 688 ppm — parts per million," the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) said in a statement.
The SGC warned communities not to approach the upper areas of the Puracé, Piocollo and Curiquinga volcanoes, three of the 15 volcanoes that make up the Los Coconucos Volcanic Chain.
Nearby residents, mainly Indigenous communities and farmers are already receiving assistance, the head of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management said.
Puracé is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes and one of the 25 active volcanic structures monitored by the SGC. It has two craters — an outer crater measuring 900 meters in diameter and an inner crater measuring 550 meters in diameter, according to the SGC.
Its last significant eruption took place in 1977.