Mount Fuego

About

Volcán de Fuego, or "Volcano of Fire," is an active stratovolcano located in Guatemala, near the departments of Chimaltenango, Escuintla, and Sacatepéquez. It stands at an elevation of 3,768 meters and is part of the Sierra Madre mountain range. Fuego is renowned for its frequent eruptions, often producing ash plumes, pyroclastic flows, and lava flows. Its activity has been nearly continuous since 2002, with significant eruptions occurring in recent years, such as in June and November 2018. Fuego's eruptions can impact nearby communities, including Antigua, a major tourist destination. The volcano's volcanic arc activity is driven by the subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate. Its geological history includes the collapse of an older volcano, La Meseta, about 8,500 years ago, which led to the growth of the current Fuego volcano. The area is monitored closely due to the potential risks associated with its frequent explosive eruptions.