Fuego Volcano

Updated: Jan 19, 2025 08:32 GMT - refresh

Stratovolcano 3,763 m / 12,346 ft
Guatemala, 14.47°N / -90.88°W
Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)

Last update: 19 Jan 2025 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)

An ash eruption from Fuego volcano seen from the distance

Fuego, one of Central America's most active volcanoes, is one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking Guatemala's former capital, Antigua. It typically has strombolian activity and sometimes phases of intense lava fountaining, producing tall ash plumes and dangerous pyroclastic flows.

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Typical eruption style: Dominantly explosive, construction of lava domes and extrusion of viscous lava flows. In near constant activity, at least during the past centuries.
Fuego volcano eruptions: 1581, 1585, 1586, 1587, 1614, 1617, 1620, 1623, 1629, 1679(?), 1685, 1686, 1689(?), 1699, 1702, 1705, 1706, 1709(?), 1710,1717,1730, 1732, 1737, 1751(?), 1765(?), 1773(?), 1799, 1826, 1829, 1850(?), 1852(?), 1855, 1856, 1857, 1860, 1861(?), 1867(?), 1880, 1896, 1932, 1944, 1949, 1953, 1955, 1957, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1987, 1999, 2002 - ongoing

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Background

Collapse of the ancestral Meseta volcano about 8,500 years ago produced a massive debris avalanche that traveled about 50 km onto the Pacific coastal plain. Growth of the modern Fuego volcano followed, continuing the southward migration of volcanism that began at Acatenango, the northern twin volcano of Fuego. Frequent vigorous historical eruptions have been recorded since 1524 and have produced major ashfalls, along with occasional pyroclastic flows and lava flows. The last major explosive eruption from Fuego took place in 1974, producing spectacular pyroclastic flows visible from Antigua.

Fuego Volcano Photos

Agua volcano near Antigua, Guatemala, with erupting Pacaya in the right background (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Powerful strombolian eruption at Fuego volcano, Guatemala (Photo: Yashmin Chebli)

Explosion from Fuego volcano, Guatemala, at night (Photo: Yashmin Chebli)

Pacaya volcano with its lava flows seen from Acatenango volcano. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Fuego volcano

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
2002 Jan 4 - ongoing	Historical obs./docs.	3
2018 Jun 3 (eruption 2002 Jan 4 - ongoing)	Historical obs./docs.	2	201	very heavy	More info
2018 Jun 3: In a special bulletin from 0600 on 3 June INSIVUMEH noted increased activity at Fuego. Strong explosions were accompanied by rumbling sounds, and shock waves that vibrated local structures. Dense ash plumes rose 2.3 km above the crater and drifted SW, W, NW, and N. Pyroclastic flows descended the Seca (Santa Teresa) drainage on the W flank, and possibly other drainages, though poor weather conditions prevented clear views of the summit area. Ash plumes drifted in westerly directions, causing ashfall (on roofs and cars). On 5 June INSIVUMEH reported that activity again increased. Explosions occurring at a rate of 8-10/hour, some strong, generated ash plumes that rose 5 km and drifted E and NE. At 1928 a pyroclastic flow traveled down the Las Lajas drainage. (reference #2432) Rescue workers searched for survivors on Monday amid a desolate landscape of ash and mud after a volcano erupted near the Guatemalan capital the previous day, killing at least 62 people. The number of missing after Volcán del Fuego's eruption was unclear, said the authorities from Guatemala's natural disaster commission, known as Conred. The volcano, which sits less than 30 miles from the capital, Guatemala City, erupted just before noon Sunday and continued to spew ash, rocks and gas into the air. A second powerful eruption followed at 6:45 p.m. Some two million people were affected by the volcano's ash, which billowed 15,000 feet into the air and dispersed over a nine-mile radius. More than 3,200 people were evacuated, and at least 46 people were injured, some of them with severe burns. More than 1,600 were in shelters. (reference #12159) People affected: 1,714,387. People evacuated: 12,823. People treated: 8,534. People in shelters: 3,559. People injured: 57. Deaths: 112. Missing: 197. Houses destroyed: 186 Energy grid impacted: 2. Bridges destroyed: 2. Roads Destroyed: 1. Roads impacted: 5. Schools Impacted 3. Schools destroyed: 1. (reference #12161) According to Asociación Nacional del Café (Anacafe) technicians, the volcanic eruption has direct impacts in an area of 3,400 to 4,055 blocks of land of the coffee crop, which would represent 0.91 percent of the national production. (reference #12162) People affected: 1,714,387. People evacuated: 12,823. People treated: 8,866. People injured: 27. Deaths: 201. Missing: 229. Houses destroyed: 186 Energy grid impacted: 2. Bridges destroyed: 2. Roads Destroyed: 1. Roads impacted: 5. Schools Impacted: 3. Schools destroyed: 1. (reference #12179) [...]the figure is very different from the one provided by volunteer group Antigua al Rescate, which reported that there are more than 2,900 dead and missing in ground zero in San Miguel Los Lotes, with 470 of those children.(reference #12180) 461 total deaths (includes rain events) (reference #1250) USD 120 million overall losses (reference #12634) Cited references #1250 Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) and the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) (2001): EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database, Universite Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, link #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #12159 New York Times (2018): Guatemalas Fuego Volcano Erupts, Killing at Least 62. Published 04 June 2018. Link #12161 Coordinadora Nacional Para La Reduccion De Desastres (CONRED), Guatemala (2018): Erupcion: Volcan de Fuego, Informe General. 22 June 2018, 07:00. #12162 El Periodico (Guatemala) (2018): Erupcion volcanica impacto a 4 mil 55 manzanas de cafe. Published 05 June 2018. Link #12163 Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), Guatemala (2018): Boletin Vulcanologico Especial BEFCO #35-2018. Published 04 June 2018. Link #12179 Coordinadora Nacional Para La Reduccion De Desastres (CONRED), Guatemala (2018): Erupcion: Volcan de Fuego, Informe General. 10 August 2018, 07:00 #12180 Latin American Herald Tribune (2018): At Least 73 Minors Missing after Guatemala Volcano Eruption, Authorities Say. Link #12629 Coordinadora Nacional Para La Reduccion De Desastres (CONRED), Guatemala (2019): Erupcion: Volcan de Fuego, Informe General. 02 June 2019, 17:30 #12634 Munich Re Group (2020): NatCatSERVICE Relevant geophysical events worldwide 2018. Accessed 05 February 2020. Munich Re Group Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2017 Jun 6 (eruption 2002 Jan 4 - ongoing)	Historical obs./docs.	2		moderate	More info
2017 Jun 6: Explosions with ash emissions continued daily at Fuego during January-June 2017; five episodes of increased activity generated higher ash plumes, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows. The period of activity during 5-6 June, designated Episode 5, generated two lava flows (2 and 3 km long) and a pyroclastic flow. Eruptive episode 5 for 2017 began during the late afternoon of 5 June. Moderate and strong Strombolian explosions generated an ash plume that rose to 6 km altitude and drifted more than 20 km W, SE, and NW from the crater. Sounds as loud as a freight train were reported nearby, and vibrations were felt in communities around the volcano. Lava flowed 3 km down the Santa Teresa ravine and 2 km down Ceniza canyon. Volcanic bombs rose 200 m high, and fell more than 300 m from the summit crater. Pyroclastic flows descended the Santa Teresa canyon on the W flank. Thirteen lahars were reported during June. They descended the Santa Teresa, Mineral, Trinidad, Ceniza, Las Lajas, and El Jute ravines, tributaries of the Pantaleón, Achíguate and Guacalate rivers. Overflows from the drainages damaged several roads and river crossings in the region. (all above from reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1999 May 21 - 2000 Dec 9 or later	Historical obs./docs.	2
1999 May 21 (eruption 1999 May 21 - 2000 Dec 9 or later)	Historical obs./docs.	2			More info
1999 May 21: Eruptive Characteristics: Central vent eruption, Explosive eruption, Pyroclastic flow(s), Lava flow(s), Damage (land, property, etc.), Mudflow(s) (lahars). (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1987 Jan 5 ±4 d. - Feb 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	1
1977 Sep 11 - 1979 Aug 8	Historical obs./docs.	2
1977 Mar 3 - Apr 19	Historical obs./docs.	1
1975 May 28 - Oct 21	Historical obs./docs.	1
1974 Oct 10 - Dec 4	Historical obs./docs.	4
1974 Oct 10 (eruption 1974 Oct 10 - Dec 4)	Historical obs./docs.	4	1-50 (*)	moderate	More info
1974 Oct 10: Deaths caused by a shower of bombs. 2-3 killed by hot water and mud. Although there were few casualties, thousands abandoned their houses, many of which were destroyed by the weight of ash. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1973 Feb 23 - Mar 23	Historical obs./docs.	2
1971 Sep 14 - Sep 15	Historical obs./docs.	3
1971 Sep 14 (eruption 1971 Sep 14 - Sep 15)	Historical obs./docs.	3	10		More info
1971 Sep 14: BVE gives 10 killed of unstated causes. CSLP gives 2 killed in San Pedro Yepocapa by about 30 cm ashfall. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #1627 BVE: Bulletin of Volcanic Eruptions #1630 Smithsonian Institution (1968-1975): Smithsonian Institution-CSLP, 1968-75. [Event notification cards]. Center for Short-Lived Phenomena (CSLP) Event Cards Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1967 Apr 22 - Apr 24	Historical obs./docs.	2
1966 Aug 12 - Aug 13	Historical obs./docs.	3
1966 Feb 7 - May 1	Historical obs./docs.	3
1963 Sep 28 - Sep 30	Historical obs./docs.	3
1963 Sep 28 (eruption 1963 Sep 28 - Sep 30)	Historical obs./docs.	3	7		More info
1963 Sep 28: Renewed ashfall triggered a lahar in which 7 persons perished. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1962 Aug 4 - Nov 9	Historical obs./docs.	3
1957 Feb 19 - Feb 21 or later	Historical obs./docs.	3
1955 Jul 26 ±5 d.	Historical obs./docs.	1
1953 Apr 9 - Apr 13	Historical obs./docs.	3
1949 Nov	Historical obs./docs.	2
1947	Historical obs./docs.	2
1944 Dec 1 ±30 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1932 Jan 21 - Jan 22	Historical obs./docs.	4
1932 Jan 21 (eruption 1932 Jan 21 - Jan 22)	Historical obs./docs.	4	1-50 (*)		More info
1932 Jan 21: Tephra Volume: 2 ? x 108 m³, , Eruptive Characteristics: Central vent eruption, Explosive eruption, Pyroclastic flow(s), Fatalities. (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

(*) Estimated numbers

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

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Fuego Volcano Tours

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Fuego 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).