Tacana volcano
stratovolcano 4060 m / 13,320 ft
Mexico / Guatemala, 15.13°N / -92.11°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5) | Reports
Tacana volcano books
Mexico / Guatemala, 15.13°N / -92.11°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5) | Reports
Tacana volcano books
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Last update: 3 Jul 2014
Typical eruption style: effusive
Tacana volcano eruptions: 1986, 1949-50, 1878, 1855
Typical eruption style: effusive
Tacana volcano eruptions: 1986, 1949-50, 1878, 1855
| Time | Mag. / Depth | Distance | Location |
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.
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 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... |
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
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
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