Constant lava emission at Guatemalan Fuego volcano continues

Fuego volcano continues to produce lava flows and strong strombolian explosions. CONRED warned about possibly pyroclastic flows that could be generated by collapsing lava flow fronts and incandescent material rolling down the steep upper slopes of the volcano as has occurred before during the ongoing strong eruptive phase. The CONRED system maintains constant monitoring.

INSIVUMEH reported that during 14-15 and 17-18 June explosions from Fuego produced ash plumes that rose 300-800 m above the crater and drifted WSW, E, and NE. Explosions generated rumbling sounds and shock waves detected in areas as far as 6 km away. Tephra avalanches descended the SW flank, into the Ceniza drainage, and lava flowed 200 m SW, into the Taniluya drainage. Pulses of incandescence rose 50-75 m above the crater. During 18-19 June lava flows advanced 50 m and block avalanches reached vegetated areas.

Fuego, one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, is one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking Guatemala’s former capital, Antigua. It typically has strombolian activity and sometimes phases of intense lava fountaining, producing tall ash plumes and dangerous pyroclastic flows.

Sources: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), Global Volcanism Program, Volcano Discovery, CONRED

Featured image: Fuego volcano in eruption on 21 June 2012 (Credit: INSIVUMEH/CONRED/Gobierno de Guatemala)