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Santa María / Santiaguito volcan

Symmetrical, forest-covered Santa María volcano is one of the most prominent of a chain of large stratovolcanoes that rises dramatically above the Pacific coastal plain of Guatemala. Santa Maria erupted catastrophically in 1902 destroying its former summit. Since then, a complex of new lava domes have been growing inside the scar left by the 1902 eruption. The youngest and still active dome is called Santiaguito. Santa Maria is a popular excursion destination and the summit offers spectacular views onto erupting Santiaguito.

Introduction:

The 3772-m-high stratovolcano has a sharp-topped, conical profile that is cut on the SW flank by a large, 1.5-km-wide crater. The oval-shaped crater extends from just below the summit of Volcán Santa María to the lower flank and was formed during a catastrophic eruption in 1902. The renowned plinian eruption of 1902 that devastated much of SW Guatemala followed a long repose period after construction of the large basaltic-andesite stratovolcano. The massive dacitic Santiaguito lava-dome complex has been growing at the base of the 1902 crater since 1922. Compound dome growth at Santiaguito has occurred episodically from four westward-younging vents, the most recent of which is Caliente. Dome growth has been accompanied by almost continuous minor explosions, with periodic lava extrusion, larger explosions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars.
Source: GVP

Santa María / Santiaguito Photos:

The lava dome consists of viscous, mostly solidified lava plugging the circular vent. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)	Euption du dôme de lave CALIENTE du Santiaguito - Guatemala (Photo: Yashmin Chebli)	Eruption au Santiaguito (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Small pyroclastic flows on both sides of the upper cone of Caliente lava dome. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)	The ash plume has reached more than 1 km height. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)	Eruption du Santiaguito au matin (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)