Fuego Volcano Facts: Everything You Should Know About It
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Have you ever wondered how it would feel to live among active volcanoes?
It's an everyday reality for people in Guatemala due to the presence of active volcanoes. Among them, the Volcán de Fuego, which translates to 'volcano of fire', is considered to be one of the biggest.
It was in the news because of the recent eruption in 2018 which led to a massive evacuation due to the severity of the situation. As a country that sits on the ring of fire, Guatemala has to deal with the strongest earthquakes and frequent eruptions.
The Fuego Volcano is especially known for being active on the lower levels, so you can expect to see gas or volcanic ash eruptions in intervals of 15-20 minutes.
Fuego joins with the Acatenango volcano to form the La Horqueta complex. In 1881, in one of the early expeditions, the French writer Eugenio Dussaussay was the one to climb the volcano, which was, until then, practically unexplored.
So, keep reading if you want to know about the Fuego Volcano facts.
Environmental Aspects
As you may know, an active volcano can have a pretty terrible impact on the environment, especially when it comes to polluting the air around the area.
The Fuego Volcano has been in constant eruption since 2002 and this has been said to have severely damaged the water system of the Siquinalá area of Guatemala.
On top of that, the 2018 eruption led to the evacuation of people that lived in the vicinity of the volcano, and the La Aurora International Airport was closed.
While in 2012, the lava flows and falling ash resulted in the evacuation of about 33,000 people that lived in 17 villages near the volcano. The pyroclastic flows were said to have spread over an area of 2,000 ft (609 m) from this eruption. Usually, the lava flow is pretty limited for this volcano.
Another common environmental problem faced due to eruption is the accumulation of volcanic waste. As you can guess, it's harmful to people to breathe, and it leaves them vulnerable.
The government of Guatemala has been trying to solve these issues, but the prolonged eruption is also said to have a greater impact on raising the temperature of the earth's atmosphere, especially the lower stratosphere.
The Impact On Society
One of the greatest impacts an active volcano can have on society is the feeling of dread and desolation.
The countless eruptions that have been taking place in the Fuego Volcano have made Guatemala's society susceptible to economic loss and an overall lower rate of life.
After any eruption, the black cloud covers last for a few days or a week. The combination of seismic activity along with the pyroclastic flows disrupts the lives of people and drives them away from homes.
As a common tourist destination, the constant eruptions also take a toll on the overall economy. The rehabilitation of people who have lost their families or homes takes more time.
Volcanic eruptions also destroy farmlands that can significantly affect the immediate and long-term lifestyle of people living on the land who cannot sustain their farm which affects their income.
2018 Volcán De Fuego Eruption
The 2018 eruption was one of the worst seen in Volcán de Fuego since 1974 and had more deaths than ever before.
One of the worst aspects of the 2018 eruption was the collapse of ash clouds, which led to the areas near the volcano being seriously affected. Before this eruption, the San Miguel earthquake had been a significant event that led to a lot of damage, including the collapse of the Royal Palace.
Even Diego de Porres, an architect, commented that it was because of volcanic eruptions.
The 2018 event occurred on June 3 and hit the villages of El Rodeo, San Miguel Los Lotes, Las Lajas, and La Reunión located in Escuintla. Ash clouds were able to travel to Guatemala City.
On June 5, it was declared that at least 99 people have lost their lives, with 200 or more people missing. Many of the victims that were found were near their homes, as the eruption was quite sudden.
As of now, the last major bout was seen on September 23, 2021, so the risk continues to be there from the Fuego Volcano. We can only hope for a time when the eruptions finally tone down, which may help in the rehabilitation of the local people.
FAQs
Q. How old is the Fuego Volcano?
A. It's theorized that the Fuego Volcano started forming around 8,500 years ago with the collapse of the Meseta Volcano.
Q. How many times has Fuego Volcano erupted?
A. In the current Holocene period, the volcano is said to have erupted around 79 times, and the volcano currently lays active.
Q. Is Volcano de Fuego still active?
A. Yes, the Fuego Volcano has been active since 2002.
Q. How many volcanoes are there in Guatemala?
A. There are officially 37 volcanoes in Guatemala.
Q. How many volcanoes are active in Guatemala?
A. Three volcanoes in Guatemala are currently considered active are Pacaya, Fuego, and Santiaguito.
Q. Is the Fuego Volcano in Guatemala still erupting?
A. Yes, the Fuego Volcano is still erupting.
Q. What is the biggest volcano in Guatemala?
A. Volcán Tajumulco of San Marcos is the biggest volcano in Guatemala, as well as the highest mountain in Central America.
Q. Where is Fuego Volcano located in Guatemala?
A. The Fuego Volcano is situated around 27 mi (43 km) from Guatemala City.
Q. How high is Fuego Volcano?
A. This stratovolcano has a height of around 12,346 ft (3,763 m).
Q. How cold is it on top of Fuego Volcano in Guatemala?
A. The temperature at the top changes depending on the weather and whether there have been recent lava flows.
Q. How is Fuego Volcano affecting Guatemala City?
A. The continuous eruptions have cost the lives of many people, and after even a small eruption, the volcanic ash cloud can quickly spread, making it hard for people to breathe.
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As a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and energetic individual, Olaleye's expertise lies in administrative and management operations. With extensive knowledge as an Editor and Communications Analyst, Olaleye excels in editing, writing, and media relations. Her commitment to upholding professional ethics and driving organizational growth sets her apart. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Benin, Edo State.
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