Increased activity at Fuego volcano prompts new evacuations, Guatemala
Guatemalan Fuego volcano entered its 5th eruptive phase of the year on November 18, forcing authorities to issue new evacuation advisories for people living around the volcano.
At least 2 000 residents living in 10 communities near Fuego volcano were asked to evacuate early Monday, November 19, 2018, as increased volcanic activity continues at Guatemalan volcano.
Authorities said there is a threat of new pyroclastic flows, adding that each community is allowed to decide if they will evacuate or not. At least three communities are already evacuating and others are expected to follow.
The volcano is producing pyroclastic flows and ash columns up to 5.2 km (17 060 feet) above sea level, INSIVUMEH said 05:40 LT (11:40 UTC) November 19. Ash is reaching distances up to 20 and 30 km (18 miles) away from the volcano and the incandescent material is ejected up to 1 km above and away from the crater.
Lava flows as long as 2.5 km (1.5 miles) advanced in the Ceniza (SSW) drainage.
Abundant ashfall, produced mainly by pyroclastic flows, is falling on Panimaché I and II, Santa Sofía, Sangre de Cristo, Palo Verde Estate, Alotenango and Antigua Guatemala.
There is also a likelihood of ashfall in the Guatemala city.
INSIVUMEH warned new pyroclastic flows are possible in any of the main ravines, urging everybody to remain out of them.
Boletín Vulcanologico Especial No.213-2018, Lunes 19/11/2018 @CIVguate pic.twitter.com/YUy69ZDQXc
— INSIVUMEH Guatemala (@insivumehgt) November 19, 2018
Updated advisory for #Fuego in #Guatemala:https://t.co/RpycGzwaFn pic.twitter.com/EZ0XngFEPQ
— Washington VAAC (@WashVAAC) November 19, 2018
MONITOREO VOLCÁNICO. Desde el caserío Santa Marta se observa columna de ceniza en el volcán de Fuego, Técnicos de la SE-CONRED continúan con el monitoreo correspondiente. pic.twitter.com/0Qz1GdVdeh
— CONRED (@ConredGuatemala) November 19, 2018
Mapa de Proyección de Ceniza Volcán de Fuego, Lunes 19/11/2018. @CIVguate pic.twitter.com/KSuLoNOF6j
— INSIVUMEH Guatemala (@insivumehgt) November 19, 2018
A las 3.28 horas de este lunes y el Volcán de Fuego no disminuye su intensidad, las evacuaciones de personas continua @prensa_libre @Guatevision_tv pic.twitter.com/7eLXPzIu7f
— Carlos Paredes (@paredesclo_PL) November 19, 2018
Así se observa la 5ta erupción del volcán de Fuego en el año 2018. Vista desde la zona 1 de la Ciudad de Guatemala.
La fuente de lava alcanza alturas de 600m sobre el cráter, los balísticos alturas de 800m que bañan el contorno volcánico, flujo de lava en barranca Ceniza de 2500m pic.twitter.com/3MrWGO7de7— Javier Juárez (@PanchoJJuarez) November 19, 2018
Timelapse de la actividad reciente del #VolcanDeFuego src:@insivumehgt pic.twitter.com/JTXTH2pADw
— josue ortega (@stderr_) November 19, 2018
Erupción del Volcán de Fuego ésta mañana con un notable flujo piroclástico. Foto liz.stapf pic.twitter.com/f9KRI7Ly0q
— Clima Guatemala (@ClimaenGuate) November 19, 2018
#Alerta
Reportan gran caída de ceniza en Yepocapa, Chimaltenango por la erupción del Volcán de Fuego. Favor extremar precauciones. Fotos Canal 5 de Yepocapa pic.twitter.com/HDRf0Zlkj0— Clima Guatemala (@ClimaenGuate) November 19, 2018
Fuego entered its 4th eruptive phase of the year on November 6, with weak to moderate explosions and ash plumes rising up to 4 800 m (15 700 feet) above sea level. Weak sounds similar to train locomotives were heard every 8 to 14 minutes.
Ash fall was reported in Panimaché, El Porvenir, Morelia, Santa Sofia, Sangre de Cristo, Finac Palo Verde, and San Pedro Yepocapa.
The incandescent material was seen rising 200 – 300 m (650 – 1 000 feet) above the crater, generating avalanches and impacting the vegetation towards the Seca and Taniluya and feeding a 1 000 m (3 300 feet) long lava flow.
People living in areas near the volcano are urged to follow instructions given by community leaders.
Featured image credit: Carlos Paredes
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