Guatemalan Volcano Erupts: Fuego Explodes
The Fuego volcano in Guatemala has recently erupted, making it one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. This volcano is no stranger to eruptions, as it is located just 35 kilometers away from the nation's capital, Guatemala City. On Sunday, the volcano sent clouds of gas and ash into the sky, prompting authorities to issue warnings to airplane pilots and tourists.
According to Guatemala's Institute of Volcanology, "weak and moderate explosions" from the volcano were occurring at a rate of four to seven per hour. These explosions resulted in gas and ash clouds reaching heights of up to 4,800 meters. Residents in towns near the volcano reported "fine ash" falling on their homes, while some people even experienced minor tremors from the rumbling of the volcano.
For aircraft, the Institute advised caution for planes flying at altitudes below 5,000 meters and within a 30-kilometer radius of Fuego and the nearby Santiaguito volcano. Additionally, tourists engaged in activities like mountain climbing were urged to proceed with caution.
With an elevation of 3,760 meters, the Fuego volcano typically experiences an eruption every four to five years. Its most recent eruption, in 2018, had disastrous consequences. Lava from the eruption destroyed the village of San Miguel Los Lotes, resulting in the deaths of 215 people and approximately the same number of people still missing.
