Tourists film nighttime explosion near active Fuego volcano, Guatemala

Tourists near Guatemala’s Fuego volcano witnessed a large nighttime eruption on June 7, 2026, from an estimated distance of about 400 m (1 300 feet), as the volcano continued a period of elevated activity marked by frequent Strombolian explosions, ash emissions, and incandescent avalanches.

The proximity shown in the video is hazardous because Fuego was producing repeated explosions during the same period. The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program (GVP), citing INSIVUMEH, reported that activity continued at Fuego between June 7 and 8, with explosions occurring at a rate of up to 8 per hour, incandescent material ejected up to 200 m (656 feet) above the vent, and plumes rising up to 1 037 m (3 402 feet) above the vent.

GVP reported volcanic ballistic projectiles around the crater area during the June 8–9 activity period, along with incandescent rockfalls. INSIVUMEH has repeatedly advised people to avoid ravines during rainfall because of lahar risk and noted that access to the La Meseta and El Camelión areas near the summit is prohibited.

Fuego, located approximately 35 km (22 miles) southwest of Guatemala City, has a long record of frequent explosive eruptions dating back to the early 16th century. According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, the volcano has remained in an open-vent state since its major 2018 eruption, which caused significant loss of life and damage in southern Guatemala.

Current activity at Fuego consists primarily of Strombolian explosions, ashfall, and occasional lava and pyroclastic flows. Since 2024, INSIVUMEH has recorded frequent low-to-moderate eruptive phases characterized by short lava flows and ash plumes reaching up to 1 000 m (3 300 feet) above the summit.

According to Guatemala’s Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH), eruptive activity remained elevated during May 14–21. The seismic network recorded between 5 and 12 Strombolian explosions per hour, generating gas-and-ash plumes rising up to 1 km (0.6 miles) above the summit and drifting as far as 40 km (25 miles) west and southwest.

INSIVUMEH reported daily rumbling, shock waves, and sounds associated with gas emissions. Incandescent ejecta occasionally reached 300 m (984 feet) above the crater, while incandescent block avalanches descended the Seca, Taniluyá, Ceniza, Las Lajas, and Honda drainages. Some avalanches reached vegetated areas on the volcano’s flanks.

Ashfall was reported in communities downwind of the volcano, including Panimaché I and II, Yepocapa, Morelia, El Porvenir, and La Rochela. On May 17, a weak-to-moderate lahar descended the Ceniza drainage, carrying branches, tree trunks, and boulders measuring up to 3 m (9.8 feet) in diameter.

INSIVUMEH advised residents and visitors to avoid ravines during periods of rainfall because of the risk of additional lahars and reiterated that access to the La Meseta and El Camellón areas near the summit remains prohibited.

References:

¹ Global Volcanism Program, 2026. Report on Fuego (Guatemala) (USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program Staff and Sennert, S, eds.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 14 May-20 May 2026. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=342090

Featured image credit: INSIVUMEH