[3] In 1995, Calvache completed a PhD degree at Arizona State University, where she worked with Stan Williams, with a thesis on the geological evolution of Galeras Volcanic complex.
[1] Calvache began her career as a geologist with the Geothermal Division of the Colombian power company Central Hidroeléctrica de Caldas (CHEC).
In 1985, she joined the team supporting the Committee for Volcanological Studies of the Caldas Department, in response to the renewed volcanic activity at Nevado del Ruiz Volcano.
She played an important role in the lead up to and response to the subsequent tragedy, when the town of Armero was overwhelmed by lahars, triggered by the eruption of Nevado del Ruiz.
[11] Calvache was secretary of the World Organisation of Volcano Observatories (WOVO), and served on the executive committee of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior from 2007 to 2011.