Pyroclastic flows at Fuego volcano, Guatemala

A phase of increased lava flow activity occurred this morning at Fuego volcano, Guatemala, generating a series of pyroclastic flows that descended mostly on the southwestern side of the volcano. An ash plume rising as a by-product of the pyroclastic flows was reported to about 3.6 km (12 000 feet).

The volcano has been in moderate effusive activity for at least the past two weeks, feeding relatively small lava flows on the upper steep slope. A sudden increase in effusion rate seems to have caused the destabilization of the lava flows, generating rockfalls that turned into pyroclastic flows. The longest runout distance was reported as 2 km (INSIVUMEH). This is suggested by the appearance of strong tremor pulses the previous night (VD). 

In the meanwhile, explosive (strombolian) activity from the summit vent has remained weak. 

Fuego volcano on September 2, 2013. Image credit: INSIVUMEH

INSIVUMEH instructed CONRED to be aware of the activity of the Santiaguito volcano (Santa Maria), Pacaya and Fuego.

Featured image: INSIVUMEH