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Puracé: The Awakened Power of the Volcano and Life Beneath Its Ashes

Puracé National Natural Park: The Strength and Magic of the Earth in the Heart of Cauca and Huila



The Puracé Volcano is located in the Cauca department, along the Central Andes mountain range. It stands as a symbol of nature and an entity imbued with mythological and ancestral power. Its name, derived from Quechua, means “the mountain of fire,” directly referencing its volcanic nature and the numerous sulfur springs that emerge from its depths. Moreover, it is the cradle of several of Colombia’s most important rivers, including the Magdalena, Cauca, Patía, and Caquetá, whose waters originate in its valleys and mountains. It is part of the UNESCO-declared Biosphere Reserve since 1979, a unique biodiversity area home to some of the planet’s richest ecosystems.



On the night of Sunday, January 19, and the early hours of Monday, January 20, the Puracé Volcano showed increased seismic activity and emitted significant ash that reached the city of Popayán. According to monitoring of the Los Coconucos volcanic chain, the Colombian Geological Service (SGC), an entity under the Ministry of Mines and Energy, reported that on the afternoon of January 21, 2025, there was an increase in the energy of the seismic signal. Additionally, degassing continues through the fumaroles of the Puracé Volcano and new vents formed at the Curiquinga Volcano.

 


According to the SGC, after conducting an aerial survey of the volcanic chain, a yellow alert was declared, and preventive measures were activated for residents of nearby areas, particularly in the municipality of Puracé. This natural phenomenon led to the cancellation of hundreds of excursions to Puracé National Natural Park.



Sensors installed at the top of the Puracé Volcano continue to record significant levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions into the atmosphere. As a result, residents of the municipalities of Paletará, Puracé, and Popayán (Cauca) have reported strong sulfuric odors—a natural reaction caused by the interaction of sulfur dioxide from the volcanic structure with ambient water.


The last major eruption of the Puracé Volcano occurred in June 1956. That year, the volcanic event was clearly visible, with ash reaching the city of Popayán, covering roofs, streets, and gutters. Photographs from that time also show the old façade of the Sanctuary of Belén, which was destroyed by a strong earthquake years later.


The vastness of the Los Coconucos volcanic chain includes 11 volcanoes and offers a spectacular landscape of craters, fumaroles, and otherworldly scenery. Among its natural wonders are the San Juan hot springs, whose warm waters provide a haven of well-being amidst volcanic power.


Nature enthusiasts will find Puracé a paradise that awakens the senses with every step. Towering waterfalls over 50 meters high, the song of endemic birds such as the Andean condor, and the fresh air of the páramos make this place a unique corner of Colombia. Here, amidst the volcano's fury, life flourishes, and the earth reminds us of its ancestral power.


Currently, access to the park is allowed with some restrictions, such as the use of face masks, hydration, and sunscreen.

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