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The most recent large eruptions at Fuego were in October of 1974. Over a ten day period there were four distinct pulses in vulcanian activity, each lasting 4-17 hours. An ash cloud shot more than 4 miles (7 km) above the volcano. Glowing avalanches mov ed down the slopes of Fuego at 35 miles per hour (60 km/hr). Atmospheric effects were reported for months following the eruption.
There are active fumaroles in the crater at the summit.
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Michigan Tech University's Volcanoes page contains detailed information about Fuego.
April 27, 2004
This week, several small avalanches of volcanic material occurred toward Santa
Teresa Ravine and weak explosions produced ~1-km-high gas-and-steam clouds.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
April 20, 2004
Volcanic activity remained similar at Fuego; on April 16 , a large gas-and-ash
plume rose to ~2 km above the crater and extended S. In the following days,
smaller explosions occurred and incandescent material was visible up to 50 m
above the vent.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
April 13, 2004
This week, lava flowed an extra 100 m from the central crater. Also, a few weak-to-moderate
explosions produced plumes less than 1 km high on April 12.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
April 6, 2004
This week, the activity was characterized by weak explosions and three stronger
explosions (one on the 26th and 2 on the 29th at 7 min. interval) which produced
1-km high gas-and-ash plumes. The Zanjón Barranca Seca and Trinidad ravines
were devasted by these events; avalanches of incandescent volcanic debris occurred
in both valleys on the 26th, and lahar flowed down the Zanjón Barranca
Seca on the 29th & 30th.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
March 23, 2004
In March, moderate-to-strong explosions produced ash plumes to a maximum height
of 1.7 km above the volcano. Ashes were occasionally deposited in the nearby
villages of of Morelia, Sangre de Cristo and Panimaché. Some explosions
also produced incandescent avalanches of volcanic material that traveled down
a few valleys, especially the Seca Ravine.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
In the last two weeks several moderate-to-strong explosions produced ash plumes
rising up to 1.8 km above the crater. Some of these explosions produced landslides
of incandescent material that traveled down several ravines on the SW and W
flanks. Small amounts of fine ash were deposited in nearby villages.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
February 10, 2004
Volcanic activity continues with the occurrence of several ash-and-gas plumes rising up to ~1 km high. Some of these explosions also generated incandescent avalanches that traveled toward the Seca (to the W), Trinidad, and Taniluyá (to the SW) ravines. On January 31, two small collapses in the S edge of the central crater produced small avalanches of lava blocks.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 27, 2004
Weak-to-moderate explosions, that sent plumes to ~700 m above the crater, continued to occur. On the evening of January 22, two strong explosions produced ~1.5-km plumes and incandescent avalanches that traveled a maximum distance of 1 km toward Zanjón Barranca Seca, La Trinidad, and Río Ceniza ravines. No ash fell in populated regions.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 13, 2004
An ash emission on the afternoon of January 8 rose to ~3 km above the volcano. 25-30 explosions occurred per minute loud rumbling noises were heard. Plumes and a relatively strong hotspot were visible on satellite images. No evacuations were ordered.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 6, 2004
During 1-5 January, new lava flowed 70-100 m from the crater and avalanches traveling W from the flow front were produced. Nearly continuous harmonic tremors with moderate frequency and amplitude were recorded.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 30, 2003
Today, small-to-moderate explosions produced plumes containing little ash that rose to low levels above Fuego. Small avalanches of volcanic debris traveled W toward Santa Teresa ravine and toward Trinidad ravine.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 23, 2003
This week low-level ash plumes were produced that drifted SE and W. Avalanches of volcanic debris traveled down the volcano's W and SW flanks.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 16, 2003
Some weak explosions produced ash clouds that rose 200-1,000 m above the volcano. Explosions and avalanches on December 16th sent volcanic debris W and SW towards Taniluya and Santa Teresa ravines. Airplanes were asked to avoid the area near the volcano due to ash in the atmosphere.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 9, 2003
From Dec. 7-9, moderate to strong explosions sent ash .5 km high and distributed it to the N. Incandescent avalanches were also observed.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 2, 2003
From Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, moderate to weak explosions produced 700-900 m-high gas and ash plumes. Harmonic tremor and avalanches of volcanic material also occurred. On the 1st, incandescence was seen in several places.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
November 25, 2003
Small explosive eruptions produced 1.2 km-high gas and ash plumes. Moderate-sized avalanches and night-time incandescence were reported. Harmonic tremor was also recorded on the 23rd and 24th.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
November 11, 2003
On the 4th, moderate explosions sent material 150 m above the crater's rim and, later that night, crater glow and incandescent avalanches were observed. Shock waves from the explosions were audible at distance.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 21, 2003
On Oct. 17 a 33-minute-long explosive eruption occurred and produced an ~1.5 km-high gas and ash plume. A small incandescent avalanche descended the Santa Teresa ravine during one of the earthquakes.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 14, 2003
On October 9, emitted ash rose to a height of ~4.6 km a.s.l.
On the 28th, two separate ash plumes were emitted from Fuego. The first one
occurred at 0500 and spread over a radius of 5 km. The second one was emitted
between 0815 and 0832, and rose ~ 6 km a.s.l.,.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
August 12, 2003
A small ash emission on 7 August was visible on satellite imagery and the ash cloud drifted NW and covered an area about 3.5 by 3.5 km.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
On 9 July the lava dome collapsed, producing pyroclastic flows. After the collapse, strong explosions sent ash to ~2 km above the volcano's summit that was visible on satellite images.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
July 8, 2003
After the June 29th eruption, weak-to-moderate explosions produced ash clouds to ~900 m above the volcano and seismographs mainly recorded tremor. Pyroclastic-flow material extended ~1.5 km down the volcano's W flank. Fuego was at Alert Level Yellow and pilots were advised to avoid flying near the volcano.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
July 1, 2003
A moderate eruption began at Fuego on June 29; lava flows were seen, and ash
fell S and SW of the volcano. The next day, lava flows were still visible and
an ash plume was W of the summit. Both days a hot spot was visible on satellite
images, but not an ash cloud.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
Following a 7 km (above sea level) ash plume in the last days of April, more small eruptions led to ash clouds visible through satellite images.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
April 29, 2003
On the 28th, intermittent ash eruptions were observed. One cloud in particular
reached heights of ~7 km a.s.l.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 21, 2003
As of Jan. 19, moderate eruptions produced 2 km-high ash clouds (above the summit).
Also, incandescent avalanches were seen traveling down the volcano's flanks.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 14, 2003
On Jan. 8 (0500), an eruption at Fuego sent a steam and ash cloud 5.7 km above sea level. Ash explosions, lava flow emissions and 2 pyroclastic flows were observed. The Alert Level was raised to Orange and then lowered back toYellow the following day.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 30, 2002
On Dec. 26 (0905), an explosive eruption and partial crater collapse sent an
ash cloud ~2 km above the volcano.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 30, 2002
From Dec. 9-15, seismicity was higher than normal and the number of shallow
earthquakes increased while the number of deep ones decreased. During the 16th-22nd,
seismicity remained high, but fewer earthquakes were recorded. The Alert Level
for Guntur was raised to 2.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
On July 16th eruptive activity began a new cycle with an increase in Strombolian
explosions and the occurrence of high-frequency volcanic tremor for 24 hours.
Explosions changed from Strombolian to Vulcanian on August 2nd, ash columns
rose 800-1400 meters above the crater and avalanches of volcanic blocks traveled
down the volcano's flanks.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
A 2-km long lava flow was observed on February 12th. The lava is flowing towards an unpopulated area. Several shelters have been set up for prevention. The volcano remained at Alert Level Yellow.
This information was summarized from the Smithsonian
Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity
On February 10th there were more than 400 explosions reported as compared to the 75 explosions that normally occur. In the evenings, there was incandescent lava seen flowing down the south flank of the volcano.
This information was summarized from the Smithsonian
Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.
January 29, 2002
Observations taken during the week revealed that Fuego was erupting a lava flow, which stretched several hundred meters below the summit before falling apart on steep slope, down its East flank. The volume was not sufficient to generate pyroclastic flows and there was no explosive activity observed.
This information was summarized from the
Smithosonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.
January 15, 2002
On January 4th around 02:00 am (local time) a Stombolian-type eruption began. There were intermittent mild-to-moderate explosions that produced ash clouds up to 400-600 meters above the cone, but no lava was visible. The eruption lasted until at least January 9th.
This information was summarized from the Smithsonian
Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.
December 14, 2000
On 9 December, a small eruption occured at the Fuego Volcano sending ash to 4 km a.s.l. (near summit level). Guatemala's Instituto National de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia e Hidrologia reported the volcano had shown increased instability with several explosions.
This information was summarized from Smithsonian's Volcanic Activity Report.
On 21 September, a large cloud of ash was expelled from the Fuego Volcano. Authorities have issued an orange alert and are considering plans to evacuate nearby residents.
This information was summarized from Discovery Online.
On 4 September, the Fuego Volcano erupted and sent a 2,600 foot column of ash and smoke into the air. Aviation warnings have been issued for the area.
This information was summarized from Discovery Online.
On 19 July, the Fuego Volcano experienced a small ash eruption. A hotspot was noted on satellite imagery.
This information was summarized from the Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.
Bonis, S., and Salazar, O., 1973, The 1971 and 1973 eruptions of volcano Fuego, Guatamala, and some socio-economic considerations for the volcanologist: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 37, p. 394-400.
Chesner, C.A., and Rose, W.I., 1984, Geochemistry and evolution of the Fuego volcanic complex, Guatemala: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 21, p. 25-44.
Duffield, W.A., Heiken, G.H., Wohletz, K.H., Maassen, L.W., Dengo, G., and McKee, E.H., 1989, Geology & geothermal potential of the Tecuamborro volcano area of Guatemala: Geothermal Resource Council Transactions, v. 13, p. 125-131.
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McClelland, L., Simkin, T., Summers, M., Nielsen, E., and Stein, T.C., 1989, Global Volcanism 1975-1985: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Prentice Hall, 655 p.
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Rose, W.I., Anderson, A.T., Woodruff, L.G., and Bonis, S., 1978, The October 1974 basaltic tephra from Fuego volcano Guatemala: description and history of the magma body: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 4, p. 3-53.
Simkin, T., and Siebert, L., 1994, Volcanoes of the World: Geoscience Press, Tucson, Arizona, 349 p.
Stoiber, R.E., and Carr, M.J., 1973, Quaternary volcanic and tectonic segmentation of Central America: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 37, p. 304-325.
Volz, F.E., 1975, Volcanic twilights from the Fuego eruption: Science, v. 189, p. 48 -50.
Williams, H., McBirney, A.R., and Dengo, G., 1964, Geologic reconnaissance of southeastern Guatemala: University of California Publications in Geolological Science, 50, p. 1-62.
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