Volcanic Eruption, Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala

Disaster Event: Volcano Eruption
Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala
Location: 14° 28′ 29″ N, 90° 52′ 51″ W

Photo Credit: CONRED, Guatemala

Volcán de Fuego Volcanic Eruption Source Overview: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program

Guatemala's Volcán de Fuego was continuously active throughout 2017, and has been erupting vigorously since 2002; historical observations of eruptions date back to 1531. These eruptions have resulted in major ashfalls, pyroclastic flows, lava flows, and damaging lahars. Reports of activity are provided by the Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), and aviation alerts of ash plumes are issued by the Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC). Satellite data from NASA, NOAA, and other sources provide valuable information about heat flow and gas emissions.

Activity remained high at Fuego throughout July-December 2017. Background levels of activity included frequent explosions (4-6 per hour) with incandescent material rising 150 m above the summit and sending blocks 200 m down the flanks. Block avalanches commonly traveled down the major ravines for hundreds of meters. Ash plumes regularly rose 500-1,000 m above the summit (4.3-4.8 km altitude); ashfall affected communities SW of the summit within 15 km every week. During the multiple short-lived (48-hour or less) eruptive episodes, the hourly explosion rates increased significantly (6-12 per hour), and incandescent material often rose 300 m above the summit; one or more lava flows would also travel more than a kilometer down major ravines. Higher ash plumes (often rising to 5-6 km altitude) during the eruptive episodes sent ash plumes drifting hundreds of kilometers in various directions causing ashfall in cities tens of kilometers away in various directions. Pyroclastic flows often accompanied the eruptive episodes. Seven episodes were reported by INSIVUMEH during July-December 2017. 

Volcano Summit: Active

Relief Web Overview and Map

NASA Satellite Imagery

Lead Agencies

State of Emergency declared: Yes (State and Federal)

National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction

Type of Volcanic Activity

Volcán de Fuego history

Smithsonian Volcanism Program

Resources:

Situation Reports: Relief Web

Guatemala Red Cross

Guatemala Open Data sets

Guatemala World Bank statistics

Regional Volcanic Hazard Mapping

USGS Volcanic Hazards Report for Fuego and Acatenango, Guatemala

Social Media

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