Guatemala – Fuego

Fuego Volcano: Sept. 13, 2012 Eruption Report (in Spanish)

Over the last several months the IVM-Fund has been working with our colleagues at INSIVUMEH (the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology)  in Guatemala to embark upon a new project to support their volcano monitoring efforts at Fuego volcano. Located ~18 km SW of the town of Antigua (pop. ~35,000) and ~40 km, west of the capitol Guatemala City (pop. ~2 million), Fuego volcano is one of the three most active volcanoes in Guatemala (the other two are Santiaguito and Pacaya). Our new project at Fuego is very similar to our previous project in Guatemala in which we delivered requested volcano monitoring instruments and field equipment to the Santiaguito volcano observatory.

Fuego volcano observatory and Fuego volcano in the background, May 2010

Fuego volcano observatory, May 2010

Before we were able to launch our program and deliver volcano monitoring equipment to the Fuego volcano observatory, the volcano erupted on September 13, 2012 with unusual ferocity. The eruption involved lava flows, block avalanches, and pyroclastic flows. Volcanic ash fell on towns and cities up to 86 km away. The alert level was raised to Orange (the third highest on a four color scale). According to the Smithsonian Institute’s Global Volcanism Program report, ~10,600 people were evacuated from communities located close to the volcano.

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Two photos of the eruption of Fuego volcano September 13, 2012

Here is a testimonial written by Guatemalan Ph.D. candidate Rüdiger Escobar-Wolf about the value of the IVM-Fund’s support for volcano monitoring at Fuego. We will update this website as we progress on our Fuego volcano program.

Please support volcano monitoring at Fuego volcano in Guatemala by making a donation.