Santiaguito volcano (Guatemala): actively growing lava dome and hot rock falls

An impressive aerial photo of the Santiaguito volcano with Santa Maria in the background (image: Bernhard Edmaier)

An impressive aerial photo of the Santiaguito volcano with Santa Maria in the background (image: Bernhard Edmaier)

The extrusive activity of the volcano continues at high levels.

A visible glow and near-constant emissions of gas and water vapor (so-called degassing) hint continued rise of fresh viscous magma accumulating into the Caliente lava dome. Pilled lava material makes the dome partially prone to collapse which in turn develop into rolling hot avalanches and incandescent dome blocks in W-SW direction along a steep ravine.

A near-frequent and heavy gas and water vapor emissions continue to be emitted to about 700 meters above the crater.

People are advised to avoid the sticky lava flow due to the strong heat which may cause burns and other serious injuries. The current hazards are also hot avalanches that can become mobilized into hot glowing currents (pyroclastic flows).

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología volcano activity update 11 March 2023

Strong thermal anomaly hints active lava dome (image: Sentinel-2, custom script)

Strong thermal anomaly hints active lava dome (image: Sentinel-2, custom script)