Overview
- The country was struck by a magnitude-7.4 earthquake on Monday that caused widespread damage and multiple deaths, with media outlets reporting differing tolls as rescue and damage assessments continue.
- On the same day the Puracé volcano in Cauca, which has been on orange alert since late July, emitted ash and gases including sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, prompting aviation warnings.
- Aeronáutica Civil temporarily suspended operations at Popayán’s Guillermo León Valencia airport because of ash, and seven other regional airports reported structural damage from the quake, disrupting flights and relief logistics.
- The Servicio Geológico Colombiano reported rising seismic energy and higher emission temperatures at Puracé but said the ash emission is an independent event and has not been linked directly to the Chocó-centered earthquake.
- Authorities continue monitoring Puracé closely and are carrying out emergency response and infrastructure assessments, with ash and damaged transport hubs likely to slow aid delivery and complicate recovery in affected regions.