The Colombian Geological Service investigates “possible eruption” of a mud volcano in Antioquia

( Spanish) – Colombian authorities reported this Monday that they are investigating a “possible eruption” of a mud volcano in the region of San José Mulatos in the department of Antioquia, in the northwest of the country.

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported in its X network account that emergency agencies are heading to the scene to accompany the departmental authorities to verify what happened.

He added that citizens are recommended to follow the instructions of the authorities and obtain information through official channels.

The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) indicated that they cannot yet confirm whether it is an eruption or not.

“We are making all the arrangements to go and verify in the field,” said the institution’s technical director of Geothreats, John Makario Londoño, in a video sent to the media.

This occurs after the mayor of the municipality of Turbo, Alejandro Abuchar, reported volcanic activity in the town, and the departmental governor, Andrés Julián Rendón, reported that the Antioquia Administrative Department of Risk Management had been activated to manage the emergency.

Londoño said that it was “very likely” that this Monday’s incident was “an eruption of many of the mud volcanoes that exist in this sector” and that these types of eruptions “are not strange in this sector.”

“The important thing to highlight and emphasize and clarify is that this type of mud volcanoes are very different from the volcanoes that erupt lava and magma, which are explosive and violent and can reach a very large area, affecting many people.” population and in general to the ecosystem,” explained the official.

“These mud volcanoes have very small, very restricted eruptions, and it is very likely that what is seen in these videos as an explosion is methane gas that ignites and explodes, and possibly there is a distribution of some mud around it,” added Londoño. in relation to videos circulating on social networks in which a flare was observed coming out of the ground and rising into the air.

As of this Monday, no injuries or evacuations were reported due to the incident. has reached out to local authorities for more information about the incident.

-Juliana González contributed to this report