Marc Szeglat

Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala

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Stratovolcano Fuego. © Marc Szeglat

Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala is a stratovolcano (also called a composite volcano). It is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, known for its frequent eruptions that produce strombolian and vulcanian activity, including explosions, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows.

Fuego is part of the Guatemalan volcanic arc, which is formed by the subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate. It is located near Antigua, Guatemala, and is famous for its persistent activity, often visible from the surrounding areas.

Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala is famous for:

  1. Frequent Eruptions – It is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America, with near-continuous activity, including strombolian eruptions, lava flows, and ash clouds.
  2. Striking Appearance – Fuego is a classic stratovolcano, often seen with its near-constant plumes of ash and gas, making it a dramatic sight, especially from the nearby tourist city of Antigua, Guatemala.
  3. Climbing & Adventure Tourism – Many hikers climb Acatenango, its neighboring volcano, for an incredible view of Fuego’s eruptions at night, where glowing lava and explosions light up the sky.
  4. Cultural and Historical Significance – The volcano has been recorded in Mayan history and is part of Guatemala’s rich volcanic landscape. It has influenced local communities for centuries.
  5. Deadly 2018 Eruption – On June 3, 2018, Fuego had one of its most catastrophic eruptions, producing pyroclastic flows that buried villages like San Miguel Los Lotes, killing hundreds of people. It was one of Guatemala’s deadliest volcanic disasters.

The 2018 Eruption of Volcán de Fuego

On June 3, 2018, Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala experienced one of its most catastrophic eruptions in recorded history. The eruption resulted in widespread devastation, significant loss of life, and lasting impacts on the affected communities.

Overview of the Eruption

Volcán de Fuego, one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, had been showing increased activity in the days leading up to the disaster. However, the intensity of the eruption on June 3 far exceeded expectations. The eruption was classified as a Plinian event, characterized by a massive ash column and violent pyroclastic flows.

Sequence of Events

  • Morning Activity: Early in the day, Fuego exhibited increased ash emissions, explosions, and lava flows. Authorities monitored the situation but did not initially expect a large-scale disaster.
  • Main Eruption: At approximately 3:00 PM, the volcano erupted explosively, sending an ash column over 10 kilometers (33,000 feet) into the atmosphere.
  • Pyroclastic Flows: The most destructive aspect of the eruption was the pyroclastic flows — a deadly mix of superheated gas, ash, and volcanic material traveling at speeds exceeding 100 km/h (62 mph). These flows engulfed multiple villages, including San Miguel Los Lotes and El Rodeo, causing extreme destruction.
  • Casualties and Impact: The eruption led to the deaths of at least 200 people, with hundreds still missing. Thousands were displaced, and entire communities were buried under thick layers of ash and debris.
  • Ashfall and Disruptions: Heavy ashfall extended to Guatemala City, leading to airport closures and transportation disruptions.

Why Was It So Deadly?

The sudden escalation of the eruption, combined with limited evacuation time, contributed to the high number of casualties. Unlike Fuego’s usual eruptions, which are frequent but moderate, this event produced rapid and powerful pyroclastic flows, giving residents little chance to escape.

Aftermath and Recovery

In the weeks following the disaster, emergency teams, including firefighters, military personnel, and volunteers, worked to rescue survivors and recover bodies. However, the solidified volcanic material made search efforts difficult.

  • Over 12,000 people were evacuated, and many survivors were permanently displaced.
  • San Miguel Los Lotes was declared uninhabitable, and survivors were relocated to temporary shelters.
  • International aid and government assistance were deployed, but recovery efforts faced challenges due to the scale of destruction.

Legacy of the Eruption

The 2018 eruption of Volcán de Fuego remains a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of nature. Today, the volcano continues to be closely monitored, and new evacuation protocols have been implemented to prevent future tragedies. The scars of the eruption are still visible in the affected areas, serving as a somber testament to the disaster.

This event underscores the importance of volcanic monitoring, early warning systems, and preparedness to mitigate the impact of future eruptions in Guatemala and around the world.

Seismic Unrest Near Santorini

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Earthquake Swarm at the Submarine Volcano Kolumbo close to Santorini

The region around the Greek volcanic island of Santorini remains seismically active. Over the past week, numerous earthquakes have occurred, particularly in the area of the submarine volcano Kolumbo. The strongest quake was recorded on January 25 with a magnitude of 3.6. Its hypocenter was at a depth of 11 kilometers near the coast of Thirasia, the western island of the Santorini archipelago. Tremors were also felt on Nea Kameni and Santorini itself.

In the past 24 hours, activity has continued with over 30 earthquakes, most with magnitudes in the 2.0 range. The deepest hypocenter was measured at 13.3 kilometers. In total, more than 70 quakes have been recorded over the past week. The latest swarm affected the Kolumbo volcano area, consisting of 19 tremors with hypocenters ranging between 5 and 21 kilometers in depth.

Whether these quakes are of tectonic origin or caused by the movement of magmatic fluids remains uncertain. Changes in stress due to ground uplift are also a possible explanation. However, no reports of ground deformation have been issued—likely due to a lack of underwater monitoring stations in the area. The ongoing seismic activity in the region requires continued observation.

Kilauea: A sudden volcanic eruption at 23th December

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A sudden volcanic eruption occurred today at Kilauea in Hawaii. The eruption began at 2:20 AM HST (13:20 UTC), rapidly filling the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater with lava within minutes.

A livestream captured the moment when a fissure opened in the western part of the crater and quickly expanded. A powerful but short-lived lava fountain erupted from a previous eruption site. Within 35 minutes, lava had spread across most of the crater floor, forming a new lava lake. This lake continues to be fed by an active lava fountain at the western crater rim.

The eruption was preceded by a brief seismic crisis that began around 2:00 AM HST. Over the past 24 hours, more than 180 earthquakes were recorded, with increased seismic activity already detected yesterday. Surprisingly, there was no significant ground inflation, which is typically observed in the days and weeks before an eruption.

Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, last showed heightened seismic activity on December 4. This sudden eruption serves as a reminder of how unpredictable volcanic activity can be.

Stronger Explosion generated a Pyroclastic Flow at Kanlaon

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After strong explosion on Kanlaon: Alert Level Raised to “3”

Today, the Philippine volcano Kanlaon experienced a stronger explosion, resulting in volcanic ash rising and generating a pyroclastic density current. According to the Tokyo VAAC, the ash cloud reached an altitude of 6,700 meters and drifted westward, while the pyroclastic flow descended the volcano’s southeastern flank. Based on video footage, I estimate its glide distance to be approximately 2,800 to 3,000 meters. The footage also shows a shock wave rippling through the clouds.

Iceland: New eruption on 20th November

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On the evening of November 20, 2024, a new fissure eruption unexpectedly occurred along the Sundhnúkur crater row in Iceland. Volcanologists had not anticipated an eruption in November, as seismic activity had remained low in recent days. However, seismicity began to slowly increase by midday, without any clear warning signs. It wasn’t until 30 minutes before the eruption that a geothermal power plant operator reported rising pressure in boreholes, accompanied by a small earthquake swarm. The eruption began at approximately 11:14 PM local time.

A fissure approximately three kilometers long opened between Stóri Skógfell and Sýlingarfell. Three parallel fractures formed, emitting lava fountains. Two lava flows are moving north and west. The northern flow poses no threat to infrastructure, while the western flow is heading toward the Svartsengi geothermal power plant. Protective barriers are expected to shield the plant from the lava, which is advancing at a speed of 300 meters per hour. The main road to Grindavik has already been disrupted.

The intensity of the eruption remains uncertain. Although it appears smaller than the previous two eruptions, it could last longer, as more than 23 million cubic meters of magma have accumulated since September. The situation continues to develop unpredictably.

Lewotobi Lakilaki: Volcanic eruption causes fatalities

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At least 10 people die at Lewotobi Lakilaki – Volcanic ash reaches 12,000 meters

Last night, a volcanic disaster occurred on the Indonesian island of Flores when Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted violently. The exact sequence of the eruption is still not fully clarified. Around midnight local time, there was apparently a strong explosion, and ash and glowing tephra reached inhabited areas. Several buildings, including a Catholic monastery at the foot of the volcano, caught fire and burned down. At least ten people lost their lives, and several others were injured. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) issued a VONA warning, reporting volcanic ash reaching up to 12,000 meters. The eruption cloud split and drifted in two directions: one cloud was blown westward, the other southeast. The alert level was raised from “Orange” to “Red.” The exclusion zone was expanded from 4 kilometers to 7 kilometers.

Ethiopia: Another Earthquake Near Awash on 16.10.24

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Earthquake Mb 4.6 Shakes Volcano Region Near Awash in Ethiopia – Ground Uplift Detected

On the evening of October 16, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred in the Awash region of Ethiopia near the Fentale volcano, and it was also felt in Addis Ababa. With a depth of about 10 kilometers, the earthquake may have been shallower, as the seismological monitoring in the region is imprecise. For weeks, numerous smaller tremors have been damaging infrastructure such as railways and buildings.

InSAR data shows a possible ground uplift of up to 30 centimeters, indicating magma intrusion close to Fentale volcano. Previous studies have shown that rhyolitic magma intrusions have occurred here before, which is unusual in this basalt-rich region. These intrusions were accompanied by strong earthquake swarms, similar to what is happening now. However, it is possible that the InSAR image reflects other effects, such as a high water level on the Awash River.

The Fentale volcano, dominated by a 5-kilometer-wide caldera, is both effusive and explosive, unlike most other volcanoes in the region. The tectonic activity is driven by the divergent boundary between the Somali Microplate and the African Plate. A phreatic eruption occurred last week in a thermal area near the volcano. It is possible that a volcanic eruption may follow.

Shiveluch: Ash Eruption from the Old Dome

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The Shiveluch volcano on Kamchatka remains active, emitting large quantities of volcanic ash from the dome in the old part of the volcano. According to a report from the VAAC Tokyo, the ash reaches an altitude of 5,800 meters above sea level and is drifting eastward. A photo taken yesterday shows a dense ash cloud being pushed down by a strong storm and spreading flatly over the volcano. The well-developed ash cloud indicates intense volcanic activity. Notably, the ash is not coming from the lava dome of the young Shiveluch but from the dome in the old part of the volcano. This area only became active again after the major eruption last April. A new dome began to grow on the edge of the old dome, known as Karan, initially named Karan-1. Recently, in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Karan-1 was renamed and now bears the somewhat cumbersome name “300 years of RAS.”

Shiveluch is one of the most active and largest volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

New eruption started on Iceland

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On the evening of August 22, the anticipated volcanic eruption at Svartsengi in Iceland began. Around 9:25 PM, a new fissure opened along the Sundhnukur crater row. The initial activity was observed east of Sýlingarfell, where a steam plume rose over a kilometer high. From there, the fissure extended for 4.9 kilometers, primarily in a northern direction. Lava fountains erupted from the fissure, feeding lava flows that moved eastward and westward. There is again a risk that the main road to Grindavik, the Grindavíkurvegur, could be flooded by lava. However, no lava flows were initially observed heading toward Grindavik. Since the seismic activity was concentrated in the northern section of the Sundhnukur crater row, it was believed that the fissure would not extend further towards Grindavik.

The eruption was preceded by a brief seismic crisis that began at 8:48 PM UTC. Most of the epicenters were located between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell, accompanied by increased pressure in boreholes. Minutes before the eruption, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) issued a warning that a magmatic intrusion was spreading and that an eruption was imminent.

Etna: The Sixth Paroxysm in a Row

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Last night, the sixth paroxysm in a row occurred at Mount Etna’s Voragine Crater on Sicily. By late afternoon, Europe’s highest volcano had already begun to intensify its activity. In the evening, the paroxysm became unstoppable and culminated in an impressive lava fountain. The peak of the eruption was only reached after midnight. The VAAC reported volcanic ash reaching an altitude of around 9,000 meters. Due to winds at different altitudes, the ash drifted both southeast and southwest. The latter ash cloud carried tephra towards Catania, where the airport was heavily affected by ashfall and had to be closed. Flight operations are expected to remain suspended until 6 p.m. today.