The terrifying tectonic display was recorded for hours and developed into a fearsome time-lapse. Ash was flung 17,000 feet into the air and dispersed across a distance of between 10 to 20 miles. In total, there are 10 communities, and roughly 2,000 residents, living in the vicinity of the mountain, but evacuations are not mandatory and each must decide whether they evacuate or not. Around four thousand people in the small Central American nation have been forced to flee from the peak, which has erupted five times this year and is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes.
The mountain lies just 19 miles south of Guatemala city – the largest city in the country with a population of 1 million.
Guatemala’s National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology released a statement saying: “At this time there is an abundant fall of ash particles in areas of Panimache II, Santa Sofia, Sangre de Cristo, Finca Palo Verde and Alotenango, so there is a likelihood of falling ash in Antigua Guatemala.
“The lava flow has a length of 2500 metres in the direction of the Ceniza Canyon, in the part of the front generates avalanches, as well as ash rising in the same flow, avalanches are generated towards the Taniluyá, Las Lajas and Honda ravines so that lava flows can be generated in these directions.”
There is also a danger of pyroclastic flows – thundering masses of rock fragments and hot gases that are often propelled down valleys and channels to horrific effect.
In June, the volcano’s violent flows killed 194 people and left at least 234 missing, although organisations supporting nearby communities insist there are thousands missing.
Fuego is famous for being almost constantly active at a low level. Small gas and ash eruptions occur every 15 to 20 minutes
Guatemala lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire – an arc of tectonic instability caused by the earth’s converging plates.
Earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions are therefore particularly common in these regions.