Volcán Puracé in southwestern Colombia increased ash emissions this week, forcing the temporary closure of the Guillermo León Valencia Airport in Popayán [1].
The surge in activity disrupts regional travel and signals a period of instability for the volcano, which is closely monitored by the Servicio Geológico Colombiano.
Authorities said the volcano produced an ash column approximately 800 meters in height [2]. This emission led to the accumulation of volcanic ash on the runway of the Popayán airport, which officials closed on July 22, 2026 [3].
The Servicio Geológico Colombiano said there was a natural increase in volcanic activity, which caused the higher emissions of gas and ash [4]. Monitoring teams continued to track the situation through July 23, 2026 [5].
There are conflicting reports regarding the current emergency status of the volcano. One report from MSN said the volcano remains under a yellow alert [2], while another report from the same publisher indicated the volcano passed to an orange alert [6].
The Servicio Geológico Colombiano is managing the response to these constant changes in activity. Local authorities in the department of Cauca are coordinating with geological experts to ensure public safety as the ash plumes affect the region.
“Volcán Puracé produced an ash column approximately 800 meters in height.”
The volatility of Volcán Puracé demonstrates the ongoing risk that volcanic activity poses to Colombian infrastructure and aviation. The discrepancy in alert levels—ranging from yellow to orange—suggests a rapidly evolving geological situation that requires precise communication to prevent panic and ensure the safety of the Cauca department's population.
