Tacana Volcano
Updated: Jun 3, 2024 14:53 GMT -
stratovolcano 4060 m / 13,320 ft
Mexico / Guatemala, 15.13°N / -92.11°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Mexico / Guatemala, 15.13°N / -92.11°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 29 Feb 2020
Tacaná volcano on the Mexican-Guatemalan border is a symmetrical stratovolcano rising 1800 m above its base and forms the NW end of the Central American Volcanic Belt.
Tacana consists of overlapping volcanic edifices, reflecting a migration of vents from the NE to the SW over time. The youngest vent is the San Antonio lava dome in a crater on the upper SW flank, which was the site of most recent activity.
Historic eruptions of Tacaná were small phreatic explosions in 1855, 1878, 1949–1950 and 1986, from both Tacaná and San Antonio. The eruption in 1950 was the largest and produced pyroclastic flows.
Active fumaroles are found at 3600 m altitude and hot springs in various locations at the base of the volcano.
[smaller] [larger]
Tacana volcano eruptions: 1986, 1949-50, 1878, 1855
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Time | Mag. / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
| Jun 3, 03:48 am (Mexico City) | 3.7 176 km | 18 km (11 mi) to the NW |  Chiapas, Mexico I FELT IT | Info | |
| Wednesday, May 29, 2024 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| May 29, 04:13 am (Mexico City) | 3.4 148 km | 25 km (16 mi) to the NW | Mexico: 11 km al SUROESTE de MOTOZINTLA, CHIS I FELT IT | Info | |
| Monday, May 27, 2024 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| May 27, 03:54 pm (Guatemala) | 3.5 140 km | 6 km (3.7 mi) to the E |  Guatemala I FELT IT | Info | |
| Wednesday, May 22, 2024 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| May 22, 02:04 pm (Guatemala) | 3.8 188 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the N | 52 km northwest of La Union, San Marcos, Guatemala | Info | |
Background
Tacaná contains a complex elongated summit area with 3 large calderas breached to the south, occupied by a series of lava domes intruded along a NE-SW trend. Viscous lava flow complexes are found on the north and south flanks, and lobate lahar deposits fill many valleys.Radial drainages on the Guatemalan side are deflected by surrounding mountains into the Pacific coastal plain on the SW side of the volcano.
Tacana Volcano Photos
Tacana Volcano as seen from the air. At 4064m asl it marks the border between Mexico and Guatemala. The volcano last erupted in 1986. (Photo: RGoadPhotography)
View towards the western part of Guatemala's volcanic front with the silhouettes of Tacana (left background), at the border with Mexico, and Tacomulco volcano (right), wh...
Eruptions of Tacana volcano
1986 eruption
Following months of increased seismic activity, a seismic swarm with quakes every minute started on 7 May, and was followed by a small phreatic explosion the next day. The vent was on the upper NW flank at an elevation of 3,800 m. It ejected a small amount of fine ash and partially destroying vegetation in an area 200 x 100 m, but otherwise caused no damage. New fumaroles were later found above 8 May crater. ...more info
Following months of increased seismic activity, a seismic swarm with quakes every minute started on 7 May, and was followed by a small phreatic explosion the next day. The vent was on the upper NW flank at an elevation of 3,800 m. It ejected a small amount of fine ash and partially destroying vegetation in an area 200 x 100 m, but otherwise caused no damage. New fumaroles were later found above 8 May crater. ...more info
Latest satellite images
