Almolonga Volcano
Updated: Nov 29, 2025 17:42 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Guatemala, 14.82°N / -91.48°W 
Summit height: 3197 m / 10,489 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
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Almolonga volcano eruptions: 1818 (Cerro Quemado)
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
Volcán de Almolonga is an andesitic stratovolcano with a 3.3-km-wide late-Pleistocene central caldera that is located along the Zunil fault zone. The caldera is surrounded by a ring-dike configuration of dacitic and rhyolitic lava domes. The youngest and only historically active dome complex is Cerro Quemado (whose name means Burned Peak), located immediately south of Guatemala's second largest city, Quezaltenango. About 1200 radiocarbon years ago, part of the andesitic-to-dacitic Cerro Quemado dome collapsed, producing a debris avalanche and an associated lateral explosion that swept across the valley to the west as far as the flanks of Siete Orejas volcano. The latest eruption in 1818 produced a blocky 2.5-km-long lava flow. Hot springs are located on the northern and eastern flanks of Cerro Quemado, and the Zuníl geothermal field, the site of a geothermal exploration project, lies on the SE flank of Cerro Quemado.---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Almolonga Volcano Photos
Part of the 1818 lava dome complex of Cerro Quemado. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
gua_j16980.jpg (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
gua_j16961.jpg (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Parts of the still fresh looking 1818 block lava flow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Almolonga volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Almolonga has had at least 3 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 2 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Almolonga volcano.
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Almolonga volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Almolonga volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Almolonga can be found on the news page of Almolonga volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discredited Eruption | ||||||
Discredited Eruption | ||||||
| East flank of Cerro Quemado Historical obs./docs. | 2 | |||||
Discredited Eruption | ||||||
| Cerro Quemado Historical obs./docs. | 2 | |||||
| Cerro Quemado | 3 | |||||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Almolonga Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Almolonga volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Almolonga occurred in 1818.
+How often does Almolonga volcano erupt?
Since 1765, Almolonga volcano has had at least 2 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 130 years.
+When was the largest eruption of Almolonga volcano?
The largest eruption known from the younger geological history of Almolonga volcano occurred around 800 AD. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Almolonga Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Almolonga volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Almolonga volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Almolonga volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Almolonga volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Almolonga volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Almolonga volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Almolonga volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Almolonga volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Almolonga volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Almolonga volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Almolonga volcano (scale of few kilometers)
