Volcán de Fuego
Volcano in Guatemala / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Volcán de Fuego (Spanish pronunciation: [bolˈkan de ˈfweɣo]; Spanish for "Volcano of Fire", often shortened to Fuego) or Chi Q'aq' (Kaqchikel for "where the fire is") is an active stratovolcano in Guatemala, on the borders of Chimaltenango, Escuintla and Sacatepéquez departments.
Volcán de Fuego | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 3,768 m (12,362 ft) |
Prominence | 469 m (1,539 ft) |
Coordinates | 14°28′29″N 90°52′51″W |
Naming | |
English translation | Volcano of Fire |
Language of name | Spanish |
Geography | |
Location in Guatemala | |
Parent range | Sierra Madre |
Geology | |
Age of rock | 200 kyr |
Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
Volcanic arc/belt | Central America Volcanic Arc |
Last eruption | 2002 to 2024 (ongoing)[1] |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Fuego volcano |
Part of the mountain range of the Sierra Madre, the volcano sits about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) west of Antigua, one of Guatemala's most famous cities and a tourist destination.[2] It has erupted frequently, most recently in June[3][4][5] and November[6][7] 2018, 23 September 2021, 11 December 2022,[8] and 4 May 2023.[9]
Fuego is famous for being almost constantly active at a low level. Small explosions of gas and ash occur every 15 to 20 minutes, but larger eruptions are less frequent. Andesite and basalt lava types dominate, and recent eruptions have tended to be more mafic than older (prehistoric) ones.[10][11]
The volcano is joined with Acatenango volcano to its north and collectively the complex is known as La Horqueta. Between Fuego and Acatenango is La Meseta, a scarp marking the remains of an older volcano that collapsed around 8,500 years ago.[12] Fuego volcano started to grow after the collapse of La Meseta.[13]