On 28 May the Instito Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrologia of Guatemala (INSIVUMEH) issued a special bulletin for Fuego reporting that although no eruption was under way the constant ‘weak to moderate’ explosive activity from the volcano was producing an ash cloud of 700m altitude, which, combined with strong winds at Fuego’s 3763m summit, constituted a potential hazard to civil aviation.

The daily report for 2 June indicates that Fuego’s behaviour is changing: the explosive activity is continuing, but is now accompanied by lava fountains reaching 50-100m in height which have produced a small (100m) lava flow along the Santa Teresa ravine. There is the possibility that this erupted material may produce a blockage in the crater over the next few days. ‘Although activity is low for the moment’, notes the report, ’it may be that this is the beginning of a possible eruption similar to that of the year 2007 in the next few days or weeks’. INSIVUMEH will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate measures.

The eruption of August 2007 at Fuego produced lava flows and ashfall, and led to local evacuations. Explosive eruptions producing a 10-15km eruption column occurred in December 2007.

Information
Global Volcanism Program: Fuego - summary information for Fuego (1402-09=)
Volcán de Fuego - detailed profile of Fuego from INSIVUMEH
Instito Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrologia - main page for Guatemala’s volcanological authority

Reports from the Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) of Guatemala indicate continuing moderate activity at three of the country’s most active volcanoes.

Pacaya. Lava flows are being erupted on the north-eastern flank, with some reaching 200 metres in length, and constant fumarolic activity in the crater is producing a plume of water vapour and bluish-white hydrogen sulphide gas (’gas sulfhídrico de color blanco azulado‘) which is being blown away to the south-east.

Fuego. 7 strong seismic tremors were recorded during a 24-hour period 2-3 April, each ranging from 1 to 4 minutes in duration, with 4 moderate and 3 weak tremors lasting up to 3 minutes. The tremors have been accompanied by explosive eruptions of grey ash to altitudes of 500-800 metres above the crater, producing an eruption plume 7 kilometres in length that is trending to the south and southwest. Incandescent material has been thrown out to an altitude of 75 metres.

Santa María. Small explosions caused by the degassing of the Santiaguito lava dome complex at Santa María are producing falls of fine ash in neighbouring rural areas. The number of avalanches of lava blocks caused by the collapse of viscous lava flows on the south-west flank of the dome has declined.

Information
Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program - summary information for Pacaya (1402-11=)
Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program - summary information for Fuego (1402-09=)
Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program - summary information for Santa María (1402-03=)
INSIVUMEH, Guatemala - main page

Fuego volcano in Guatemala is one of the most active volcanoes in central America, with frequent and vigorous eruptions recorded since the sixteenth century. Its current phase of activity began with a central vent eruption, producing pyroclastic flows and lahars, in January 2002, and the volcano has exhibited constant low-level activity ever since. On 9 August 2007 an explosive eruption took place producing lava and ash falls and leading to a small-scale evacuation.

On 12 December 2007 the Guatemalan Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH) reported a series of explosive eruptions, two or three per hour, producing an ash column 10-15 kilometres in height. A posting on the Volcano listserv on 15 December 2007 reports that Fuego began producing a significant plume of ash and steam at approximately 05:30am local time (11:30 GMT) and was still doing so, uninterrupted, at 07:00 local time (13:00 GMT), and that a considerable flow of ash (and possibly lava) has occurred on the eastern slopes, which are visible from the nearby city of Antiqua, and that more significant flows may be present on the western slopes which are not visible from the city. Other reports have said that lava was visible on the eastern slopes, and being expelled from the vent at the peak, on the evening of 14 December 2007.

Information
Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program - summary information for Fuego (1402-09=)
INSIVUMEH - volcanism bulletins