INSIVUMEH reported that on 9 December plumes from Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex rose 300 m above the crater and drifted SW and explosions generated rumbling noises. On 13 December block avalanche activity increased on the S flank and created pyroclastic flows that were deposited into the San Isidro drainage.
INSIVUMEH reported that during 24-25 November block avalanches originated from the crater at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex as well as from lava flows. Ash plumes rose 500 m above the crater and drifted SW. During 28-29 November explosions generated shock waves and rumbling noises, as well as ash plumes that rose 700 m above the crater and drifted W.
Wed, 2 Nov 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 1-2 November explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated ash plumes that rose 600-1,000 m above the complex and drifted S and SW, causing ashfall in villages downwind. The explosions were heard in areas 12 km to the S and SW. Lava flows on the SE and S flanks generated block avalanches.
Read allWed, 26 Oct 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 26-27 October gas plumes from Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex rose 200 m above the crater and lava flows on the SE and SW flanks generated block avalanches that were deposited into the Río Nimá II drainage. Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported that on 26 October an ash plume drifted 16.7 km SW and then rapidly dissipated. The next day satellite imagery showed a possible ash plume and a thermal anomaly.
Read allWed, 19 Oct 2011, 06:00
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported that on 25 October a narrow ash plume from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex rose to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 30 km WNW.
Read allWed, 28 Sep 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that on 29 September a lahar 28 m wide and 2 m deep traveled down Santa María's Rio Nima II drainage, carrying 2-m-wide blocks and tree branches. During 29-30 September and 3-4 October explosions from the Santiaguito lava dome complex produced gray ash plumes that rose 1 km above the crater and drifted 15 km E and SW. Avalanches from the lava-flow fronts descended the flanks.
Read allWed, 14 Sep 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 13-16 September lava flows were active on the SW and SE flanks of Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex. Avalanches from the lava-flow fronts also descended the flanks. Ash plumes drifted ENE.
Read allWed, 13 Jul 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 13-14 July explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex produced ash plumes that rose 500 m above Caliente dome and drifted E. An explosion and loud rumbling was heard 10 km away. Lava flows were active on the E and SW flanks.
Read allWed, 29 Jun 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that on 29 June a lahar descended Santa María's Nima I drainage, passing by the Observatory Vulcanológico de Santiaguito (OVSAN), about 5 km S of the lava dome. The lahar was 1.5 m high, 25 m wide, and carried fine material as well as different-sized blocks. During 3-4 July a steam plume rose 300 m above the crater and drifted SW.
Read allWed, 11 May 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 12-13 May explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex produced ash plumes that rose 900 m above Caliente dome and drifted SE, depositing fine ash in areas downwind. During 14-15 May explosions produced ash plumes that rose 2 km above Caliente dome. Pyroclastic flows descended the SW and E flanks.
Read allWed, 4 May 2011, 06:00
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported that during 5-6 May ash plumes from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l. and dissipated within about 75 km SW. On 6 May ash plumes also rose to an altitude of 6.7 km (22,000 ft) a.s.l. and dissipated within 10 km NW.
Read allWed, 27 Apr 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 28-29 April explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex produced ash plumes that rose 600-800 m above the crater and drifted S, SW, and W. Block avalanches descended the flanks of Caliente dome. At night pyroclastic flows traveled down the Rio Nima I and Rio Nima II drainages.
Read allWed, 30 Mar 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that on 28 March explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex produced ash plumes that rose 300-800 m above Caliente dome and drifted NNE, depositing fine ash in Quetzaltenango (10 km NNE). During 30-31 March and 4-5 April explosions produced ash plumes that rose 400-700 m above the dome and drifted S; ashfall was reported in nearby areas downwind. Avalanches descended the SW and E flanks.
Read allFri, 25 Mar 2011, 09:27
Elevated activity continues at Santiaguito, as recent visitors and the latest reports from INSIVUMEH confirm. The Santiaguito lava dome has been producing frequent ash explosions with plumes to 700-800 m height and small avalanches and pyroclastic flows traveling down the eastern and southern flanks of Caliente dome.
Wed, 23 Mar 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that on 24 March a loud explosion from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex was followed by a pyroclastic flow that descended the E flank. A few hours later an explosion produced an ash plume that rose 600 m above Caliente dome and drifted W. Based on a METAR notice, information from INSIVUMEH, and analyses of satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported a diffuse ash plume on 28 March.
Read allWed, 16 Mar 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 17-18 March avalanches and a pyroclastic flow from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex traveled down the E flank. An ash plume rose 800 m and drifted SE. During 20-22 March explosions produced ash plumes that rose 700-800 m above the crater and drifted W and SW.
Read allWed, 9 Mar 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 8-9 March a pyroclastic flow from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex traveled down the E flank, depositing material in Rio Nima I. An ash plume rose 1 km and drifted E. Ashfall was reported in Quetzaltenango (10 km NNE) and Retalhuleu (27 km SW) from plumes produced during the previous few days.
Read allWed, 2 Mar 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 2-3 March explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex produced ash plumes that rose 800 m above Caliente dome and drifted SW. Avalanches traveled S, SE, and SW, and ashfall was reported in Monte Claro, Patzulín, La Florida, and El Faro on the S and SE flanks. Two pyroclastic flows were also detected.
Read allWed, 23 Feb 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 24-25 February a few explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex produced ash plumes that rose 800 m above Caliente dome and drifted SW. Incandescent avalanches descended the E and SW flanks.
Read allWed, 16 Feb 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 16-17 February explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex produced ash plumes that rose 800 m above Caliente dome and drifted S and SW. Avalanches traveled S, and ashfall was reported in Palajunoj, on the SW flank. According to the Washington VAAC, ash plumes were observed in satellite imagery drifting more than 10 km SSW.
Read allWed, 9 Feb 2011, 06:00
Based on information from INSIVUMEH, the Washington VAAC reported that ash observed in satellite imagery from a pyroclastic flow at Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex on 9 February had dissipated. INSIVUMEH reported that early on 10 February explosions produced ash plumes that rose almost 800 m above Caliente dome. Cloud cover prevented observations through the day.
Read allWed, 2 Feb 2011, 06:00
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported that on 2 February an ash plume from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex drifted less than 30 km SW and quickly dissipated. INSIVUMEH reported that during 2-3 February explosions produced ash plumes that rose 300 m above Caliente dome and drifted S and SW. On 4 February the VAAC noted that an ash plume was detected in satellite imagery.
Read allWed, 19 Jan 2011, 06:00
Based on a METAR weather notice, the Washington VAAC reported ash above Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome on 20 January. Satellite imagery showed a small plume drifting NNE at a possible altitude of 5.2 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l. During 20-21 January, INSIVUMEH reported that steam plumes rose 150 m above the crater and drifted SW.
Read allWed, 5 Jan 2011, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 5-6 January explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex produced ash plumes that rose 400-500 m above Caliente dome and drifted SW. Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported that on 8 January a gas plume possibly containing ash drifted less than 30 km SSW. During 10-11 January, INSIVUMEH reported that explosions produced ash plumes that rose as high as 600 m above the dome and drifted SW and W.
Read all