Geologic Background:
One of the most active volcanoes of Colombia,
Puracé consists of an andesitic stratovolcano with
a 500-m-wide summit crater that was constructed over a
dacitic shield volcano. Purace lies at the NW end of a
volcanic massif opposite Pan de Azucar stratovolcano, 6
km to the SE. A NW-SE-trending group of seven cones and
craters, Los Coconucos, lies between the two larger
edifices.
Historic Activity:
- Frequent explosive eruptions in the 19th and 20th
centuries have modified the morphology of the summit
crater.
- The largest eruptions occurred in 1849, 1869, and
1885.
Recent Activity:
- Most recent eruption on March 19, 1977 when ash was
deposited up to 7 km from the volcano. Currently hot
springs and fumaroles.
- Series of anomalous earthquakes in Feb-April
2000.
Data Sources:
- Global Volcanism Network (V. 15, No. 8 and V. 25, No.
5).
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