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Volcano news: Guatemala
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The paroxysmal eruption of Fuego volcano, Guatemala, on 19-20 May is summarized in the following Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: ...more"On 19 May seismicity at Fuego increased and explosions were heard at 5-10 minute intervals. A 600-m-long lava flow descended the W flank, and a 1-km-long and 20-m-wide lava flow descended the E flank, reaching the base of the volcano. Explosions ejected incandescent tephra 400 m above the crater, and produced ash plumes that rose 5 km above the crater and drifted 30 km S and SW. Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres (CONRED) raised the Alert Level to Orange (the second highest level on a 4-color scale). Pyroclastic flows also descended the flanks, prompting authorities to restrict passage on part of a highway. Ash plumes from the pyroclastic flows rose 3 km above the crater. Ashfall was reported in Morelia (7 km SW), Panimaché I and II (9 km SW), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), and Yepocapa (8 km WNW). Thirteen people from El Porvenir in Alotenango (8 km ENE) evacuated to local shelters. Visual observations and seismicity indicated that activity decreased later that day. On 20 May a few explosions generated ash plumes that rose 500 m above the crater and drifted 8 km SW. The next day cloud cover prevented observations; however explosions, rumbling, and degassing sounds were reported. On 22 May explosions generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1 km and drifted 10 km S and SE. Rumbling was heard and shock waves were detected. The lava flows were inactive and only incandescence from block avalanches was observed." [ less] [ read all]
Sunday, May 20, 2012
 Lava flows and ejected lava bombs from the summit crater of Fuego on 19 May. (Image courtesy of CONRED, republished on Eruptions Blog)
Fuego volcano in Guatemala had a major eruption on Saturday (19 May). The eruption was one of its largest in recent years since the start of near continuous activity in 2002. ...moreThe eruption was both explosive and effusive. According to news, the eruption began at 2:45 a.m. with large explosions and lava fountains possibly up to 1 km high from the summit crater. Large incandescent bombs were ejected to considerable distances and showered the summit cone of the volcano. A 500 m long lava flow traveled down on the SW flank towards the Ceniza ravine. The eruption also produced an ash column reaching 5 km (16,000 ft altitude) and pyroclastic flows probably generated mostly by cascading lava blocks traveling down the steep cone's flank into Las Lajas, El Jute y Ceniza valleys. Ash fall was reported from nearby villages mainly to the S and SW including Morelia, Panimaché I and II, Sangre Cristo and Yepocapa. [ less] [ read all]
Thursday, Mar 29, 2012
Santiaguito volcano's activity remained at elevated levels during the past week, the latest USGS / GVP activity summary shows. ...moreSeveral block lava flows are traveling down from the dome, and generate glowing avalanches. Frequent explosions produce ash plumes rising 800-900 m above the lava dome. An explosion on 26 March produced pyroclastic flow on the western flank of the cone. Satellite images detected several plumes extending up to 33 km in south-westerly directions. Ash fall occurred in up to about 10 km distances in areas to the south at the Observatory Vulcanológico de Santiaguito (OVSAN), and to the SW at the El Faro, La Florida, and Patzulin ranches (SW), as well as in the village of Santa María de Jesús (SE). [ less] [ read all]
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2012
Santiaguito volcano in Guatemala has been displaying a slightly elevated state of activity in recent days. INSIVUMEH reports moderate explosions about every 15 minutes that eject plumes of gray ash tot 600 and 800 meters above the crater, and producing an ash plume drifting to the west and SW until dissipating at about 15 km distance. ...moreLight ash falls from these eruptions frequently occur in the villages San Marcos, Buena Vista and Palajunoj and the El Faro, Florida, and Monte Claro Fincas. Crater glow at the summit of the lava dome is well visible at night, and a blocky lava flow with constant avalanches of blocks rolling down to tits base continues to be active, raising secondary ash plumes. [ less] [ read all]
Saturday, Feb 18, 2012
A slight increase at Fuego volcano has been observed in the past days. Occasional strombolian explosions are producing light gray ash columns between 200-500 m height above the crater, accompanied by rumblings. The explosions eject incandescent material to about 100 m. The bombs fall back in the area of the crater rim and cause weak avalanches. ...moreThe lava flow in the direction of Taniluyá is between 150-200 m long, and incandescent blocks detach from the front, tumbling down into the forested area. [ less] [ read all]
Moderate explosions continue producing small gray ash columns, and ashfall in the areas of the nearby farms to the west. Weak avalanches occur from the front of the small active lava flow on the southeast side of Santiaguito. [ read all]
Tuesday, Feb 14, 2012
Weak ash explosions continue at Fuego volcano. INSIVUMEH reported for 13 February that 9 eruptions were counted, producing plumes up to 500 m high and occasional rumbling noises. A steam plume is rising constantly about 100 m from the crater. The ash drifted 8 miles WSW. ...moreThe new lava flow on the southwest flank in the direction of the Taniluya ravine is still active and about 200 m long. Blocks that detach from its front form small block avalanches that reach the vegetation. [ less] [ read all]
Thursday, Jan 19, 2012
Fuego volcano produced explosions observed on 11-13 and on 16 January, which produced ash plumes rising 400-1000 m above the crater. Shock waves and rumbling sounds accompanied the explosions and rattled windows and roofs in nearby villages. ...moreRock avalanches traveled SW into the Ceniza drainage and on the W, S, and SW flanks. At night on 13 and 16 January incandescence was visible from the crater. ( Source: Smithsonian / GVP weekly activity report) [ less] [ read all]
The lava dome growth of Santiaguito continues at moderate levels. Sporadic explosions produce ash clouds that rise up to 600-800 m above the lava dome and mostly drift SW. A viscous lava flow is active on the SE flank. Block avalanches are generated from the front of the lava flow and on the SW flank, accompanied by rumbling noises. [ read all]
Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012
 avalanches of ash and incandescent blocks produced by the growth of the volcanic dome of the volcano Santiaguito Caliente - Guatemala in January 2012 (Yashmin Chebli)
During the month of January 2012 the activity of the volcanic dome of Santiaguito Caliente has been steady with many degassing emissions and ash plumes well above the top of the volcano Santa Maria (the volcano father). during the 4 days of observation of the activity by the team of geologists and volcanologists during an expedition to VolcanoDiscovery, we identified one to two hours by pyroclastic flow. These flows are formed by avalanches of ash and incandescent blocks produced during the surge in gas and magma during the extrusion of the dome and they ran down the sides of the South and South West dome to spread out up to 500 m to 1 km distance from the base of the dome. [ read all]
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