Hundreds evacuate erupting Fuego volcano, Guatemala
Nearly 900 people were evacuated after Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted on March 9, 2025, prompting an Orange Alert and emergency response.

Nearly 900 people were evacuated after Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted on March 9, 2025, prompting an Orange Alert and emergency response.

An effusive eruption began at Guatemala’s Fuego volcano at 21:00 LT (03:00 UTC on March 10, 2025) on March 9, followed by weak to moderate pyroclastic flows descending through the Las Lajas, El Jute, Seca, and Ceniza ravines.

Fresh volcanic ash emissions were observed from the Santa María volcano in Guatemala on January 21, 2025. The ash clouds reached an altitude of approximately 5 km (16 000 feet) above sea level (a.s.l.) and were carried westward at a speed of 18 km/h (11 mph). Residents in the San Marcos Palajunoj and San Martín Sacatepéquez areas may experience light ashfall, with further activity posing risks of long-range pyroclastic flows towards the southwest, south, and southeast.

The Santiaguito volcanic dome complex in southwestern Guatemala is experiencing increased eruptive activity, with frequent explosions and lava block detachment from the Caliente Dome. The eruptions produce ash plumes reaching 3.5 km (11 500 feet) a.s.l. and dispersing it up to 30 km (19 miles) southwest and south.

A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit Guatemala at 02:53 UTC on July 21, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 265.5 km (165 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.

Relentless heavy rains caused by low-pressure systems on Guatemala’s Pacific coast and in the Gulf of Mexico have resulted in floods and landslides across Central America, leaving at least 13 people dead since Saturday, June 15, 2024. The worst affected are Guatemala and El Salvador, where a state of emergency has been declared.

A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit Guatemala at 05:52 UTC on January 27, 2024, (23:52 local time, January 26). The agency is reporting a depth of 108 km (67 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.

Heavy rain caused the El Naranjo River to break its banks in the early hours of September 25, 2023, near Guatemala City. The flash floods destroyed six homes in the shantytown of Dios Es Fiel, claiming at least six lives and leaving 12 others missing.

A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit Guatemala at 23:02 UTC on May 17, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 252 km (156 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 255 km (158 miles).

An intense eruptive phase started at Guatemala’s Fuego volcano around 08:00 UTC on May 4, 2023, characterized by lava flows, constant incandescent activity, gas and ash emissions, and multiple high-speed pyroclastic flows of various intensities. Abundant ashfall was reported in villages and farms located up to 50 km (31 miles) W of the volcano.