Fuego, Guatemala
- Simplified tectonic map. Subduction of
the Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate produces the Central American
arc. The arc is defined by the line of volcanoes (black triangles).
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- Fuego has erupted more than 60 times
since 1524, making it Central America's historically most active volcano.
Three of these eruptions caused fatalities. Typically, violent vulcanian
eruptions last a few ho urs to several days and produce pyroclastic
flows. This photo shows Fuego (foreground) and Acatenango (background).
- 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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- July 26, 1999
- On 19 July, the Fuego Volcano experienced
a small ash eruption. A hotspot was noted on satellite imagery.
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