🌋VolcanoAtlas

Puracé

Colombia's Most Frequently Active Volcano

Elevation

4,650 m

Last Eruption

2025

Type

Stratovolcano(es)

Country

Colombia

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskLow
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity1 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

Related Volcanoes

All Colombia Volcanoes
Explore by country
Stratovolcano(es) Volcanoes
By volcano type
Cauca Department
Regional volcanoes

Other Volcanoes in Colombia

Interesting Facts

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Puracé is Colombia's most frequently active volcano, with 29 recorded eruptions over approximately 2,200 years.

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The city of Popayán, with approximately 320,000 residents, lies just 30 km northwest of the active summit crater.

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The Los Coconucos volcanic chain contains 14 individual volcanic centers stretching over 6 km southeast from Puracé to Pan de Azúcar.

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Puracé produced 12 eruptions in the 19th century alone — nearly one per decade.

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The volcano reactivated in March 2022 after a 45-year dormancy, the longest quiet period in its historical record.

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The 2025 eruptions occurred from the Curiquinga Crater, marking a shift in vent location from the main Puracé summit crater.

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Puracé National Natural Park protects the headwaters of both the Cauca and Magdalena rivers — Colombia's two most important waterways.

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The summit crater measures approximately 600 m in diameter and has been repeatedly modified by explosive eruptions since 1816.

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At 4,650 m, Puracé is one of the highest active volcanoes in Colombia, reaching well above the treeline into the páramo zone.

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Sulfur deposits near Puracé's summit have been mined for centuries, and the surrounding thermal springs draw visitors from across Colombia.

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The underlying dacitic massif extends approximately 13 km by 10 km, suggesting that more silica-rich magma capable of larger eruptions may exist at depth.

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Puracé erupted twice in 2025, with events in January and November, confirming a new phase of heightened activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Puracé volcano still active?
Yes, Puracé is Colombia's most frequently active volcano. It erupted twice in 2025 — in January from the Curiquinga Crater (VEI 2) and again in November. The volcano had reactivated in March 2022 after a 45-year dormancy period, and the SGC (Servicio Geológico Colombiano) maintains continuous monitoring with seismometers, gas sensors, and webcams. Puracé's 29 recorded eruptions over approximately 2,200 years include three VEI 3 events, and scientists consider future eruptions highly likely. The volcano remains at elevated alert levels.
When did Puracé last erupt?
Puracé's most recent confirmed eruption began on November 23, 2025. Earlier in the same year, a VEI 2 eruption occurred on January 19 from the Curiquinga Crater. These events are part of a renewed eruptive phase that began with the volcano's reactivation in March 2022 after 45 years of quiet since the 1977 eruption. The current phase has included eruptions in 2022, 2023, and two in 2025, suggesting Puracé has entered a new period of heightened activity.
How far is Puracé from Popayán?
Puracé's summit crater is located approximately 30 km (19 miles) southeast of Popayán, the capital of Colombia's Cauca Department with a population of roughly 320,000. This proximity places Popayán within the ashfall hazard zone for moderate eruptions. During the VEI 3 eruptions of the 19th century, ash from Puracé reached the city on multiple occasions. The road from Popayán to the volcano takes approximately two hours.
How tall is Puracé?
Puracé rises to 4,650 m (15,256 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest active volcanoes in Colombia. It stands within the Central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes, well above the treeline in the páramo ecological zone. The summit is crowned by a 600-m-diameter crater that has been the primary source of historical eruptions. Despite its impressive height, Puracé is shorter than Colombia's tallest active volcano, Nevado del Huila, at 5,364 m.
What is the Los Coconucos volcanic chain?
The Los Coconucos volcanic chain is a complex of 14 volcanic centers — nine composite stratovolcanoes and five monogenetic vents — stretching more than 6 km from Puracé's summit crater southeastward to the summit of Pan de Azúcar volcano. The entire chain is built atop a dacitic massif approximately 13 km by 10 km in extent. The chain represents one of the most concentrated volcanic complexes in the Colombian Andes and suggests a large-scale magmatic system feeding multiple surface vents.
Is Puracé dangerous?
Puracé poses a significant volcanic hazard for southwestern Colombia. Its proximity to Popayán (population ~320,000, just 30 km away) means that ashfall from even moderate eruptions can affect a large population. VEI 3 eruptions in 1847–1852, 1869, and 1885 sent ash over the city and surrounding agricultural lands. Pyroclastic flows, lahars, and ballistic projectiles are additional hazards. The presence of a dacitic magmatic body at depth raises the possibility of eruptions larger than any in the historical record.
Can you visit Puracé volcano?
Puracé National Natural Park offers trekking routes to the summit area when volcanic conditions permit. The park features páramo landscapes, cloud forest, waterfalls, and thermal springs at Pilimbalá. Access is from Popayán, approximately two hours by road. Visitors should check the current volcanic alert level with SGC and park access status with Parques Nacionales Naturales before planning a trip, as the summit may be closed during periods of volcanic unrest. Popayán itself is a worthwhile destination for its colonial architecture and vibrant culture.
How often does Puracé erupt?
Puracé has averaged roughly one eruption every 7–8 years over its historical record, though the frequency varies considerably between periods. The 19th century saw 12 eruptions — nearly one per decade — while the mid-to-late 20th century was quieter. After a 45-year dormancy from 1977 to 2022, Puracé has erupted four times in just three years (2022, 2023, and twice in 2025), suggesting it may be entering a new period of frequent activity similar to its 19th-century pattern.