INSIVUMEH reported that at 0858 on 28 August a strong Vulcanian explosion at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated a dense ash plume that rose 2.5 km and drifted 100 km W and SW. Pyroclastic flows descended the flanks. Ashfall was reported in San Marcos (10 km SW), Loma Linda (6 km WSW), and Palajunoj (18 km SSW), and was expected to impact additional areas downwind as the plume continued to drift.
Explosion from Santiaguito's Caliente dome yesterday (image: CONRED)
The volcano's activity remains very high. Another strong explosion occurred at the Caliente dome yesterday morning at 08:08 local time. Similar in size as the previous one two days earlier, it was accompanied by heavy ballistic bombardment of the cone and its surroundings and generated pyroclastic flows.
CONRED stated that at 0808 on 18 August a strong and loud explosion at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated a dense ash plume that rose 1.5 km and drifted S and SW. Pyroclastic flows descended the flanks. INSIVUMEH reported that gas emissions were observed during 20-21 August, along with some weak avalanches originating at the dome.
Eruption of Santiaguito volcano this morning (image: CONRED)
A particularly strong vulcanian explosion occurred at the Caliente lava dome this morning (at 06_58 local time), sending a massive mushroom-shaped ash plume to several kilometers height that eventually reached approx. 20,000 ft or 7 km altitude). The cone and its immediate surroundings were showered by volcanic blocks and bombs and collapsing material from the eruption produced avalanches that engulfed the cone on several sides (pyroclastic flows).
Eruption plume from Santiaguito's explosion this morning (image: CONRED)
The series of strong vulcanian explosions continues although they hve become rarer. This morning, another one occurred that produced a mushroom-shaped eruption column that rose to approx. 18,000 ft (6 km) altitude.
In a special report, INSIVUMEH stated that a strong explosion at Caliente cone, part of Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, occurred at 0629 on 14 August and generated pyroclastic flows that descended the E flank. An ash plume rose about 1.3 km above the complex and drifted S and SW, causing ashfall in San Felipe (15 km SSW), Mazatenango, and Retalhuleu (27 km SW). A moderate explosion on 15 August generated an ash plume that rose 900 m and drifted E.
Ash fall from yesterday's eruption of Santiaguito on a car in Quetzaltenango (image: Conred)
After several weeks of relative calm, another strong explosion occurred from the Caliente lava dome yesterday at 10:45 local time, the 75th vulcanian explosion in 2016.
Wed, 3 Aug 2016, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that on 8 August an 18-m-wide hot lahar triggered by rainfall descended the Cabello de Ángel drainage, a tributary of the Nimá I river drainage on the S flank of Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, carrying tree trunks and blocks up to 1.5 cm in diameter. Explosions during 8-9 August produced ash plumes that rose as high as 1 km above the crater and drifted 15 km SW, W, and NW.
Read allSat, 16 Jul 2016, 11:46
A strong explosion (another in the ongoing series) occurred at the Caliente lava dome yesterday at 13:30 local time. According to INSIVUMEH, it generated an ash column that rose to approx. 5 km altitude, i.e. about 2500 m above the dome.
Wed, 13 Jul 2016, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that at 1330 on 15 July an explosion at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated an ash plume that rose 2.4 km and drifted NW. Gas plumes rose from the complex during 17-18 July. At 0235 on 19 July an explosion generated avalanches and a pyroclastic flow that traveled SE down Caliente dome.
Read allTue, 12 Jul 2016, 08:07
Detection of the ash plume from Santiaguito yesterday morning (NOAA/CIMSS Volcanic Cloud Monitoring website)
Another explosion took place at the volcano yesterday morning (at 01:45 local time), sending an ash plume to 6000 m a.s.l. (18,000 ft), which means it was likely one of the largest in the current series of vulcanian eruptions.
Read allWed, 6 Jul 2016, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 7-8 July explosions at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1 km and drifted 10 km S and W. On 10 July a strong, loud explosion was followed by pyroclastic flows that traveled 2 km down the S and SW flanks, and an ash plume that rose 3 km and drifted 40 km W. INSIVUMEH reminded the public to stay at least 5 km away from the volcano.
Read allWed, 29 Jun 2016, 06:00
CONRED reported that an explosion at 1002 on 29 June at Caliente cone, part of Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, generated pyroclastic flows, and an ash plume that rose 2.5 km above the crater and drifted W and SW. Ash fell in El Faro. The report noted that more than 60 explosions had been detected so far this year.
Read allMon, 27 Jun 2016, 14:50
Eruption of Santiaguito yesterday (photo: Geól. Sergio Almazán @chematierra / INSIVUMEH / Twitter)
The elevated activity from the Caliente lava dome continues to produce intermittent strong vulcanian eruptions every few days or so: yesterday afternoon at 16:16 local time, a powerful explosion produced an ash column that rose to 5 km altitude and generated pyroclastic flows on the SW and SE side of the lava dome.
Read allWed, 22 Jun 2016, 06:00
In a special report posted on 23 June, INSIVUMEH reported that a strong explosion at Caliente cone, part of Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, occurred at 1337 and generated avalanches on the SE and SW flanks, and a very dense ash plume that rose 2 km and drifted SW and S. Gas plumes rose 50 m above the crater during 26-28 June.
Read allSat, 18 Jun 2016, 09:33
Eruption of Santiaguito yesterday (photo: Carlos Gonzales / @stereo100xela / twitter)
Following a relatively calm period of 3 weeks (no significant eruptions since 25 May), a powerful vulcanian explosion occurred at the Caliente lava dome again yesterday at 09:15 local time, sending an mushroom-shaped eruption column approx. 5 km into the sky.
Read allThu, 16 Jun 2016, 11:04
Heavy rainfalls in recent days generated strong lahars (mud flows) through the Nima I River bed, remobilizing some of the recently erupted loose volcanic debris.
Read allWed, 15 Jun 2016, 06:00
In a special report posted on 19 June, INSIVUMEH reported that a strong explosion at Caliente cone, part of Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, occurred at 0512 and generated pyroclastic flows and an ash plume that rose 5 km and drifted 40-50 km W, SW, and S. Ashfall was reported in multiple farms and towns including San Marcos (10 km SW), Loma Linda, Palajunoj (18 km SSW), El Faro (SW flank), Patzulin (SW flank), El Patrocinio, El Palmar (12 km S), San Felipe (15 km SSW), and Las Marías. A loud explosion at 2239 on 20 June generated an ash plume containing lightning that rose 2.5 km.
Read allWed, 8 Jun 2016, 06:00
INSIVUMEH reported that during 9-10 June explosions at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated ash plumes that rose 500 m and drifted W. A 30-m-wide hot lahar triggered by rainfall descended the Nimá I River, a tributary of Samala River, on 13 June, carrying tree trunks, branches, and rocks up to 70 cm in diameter.
Read allWed, 1 Jun 2016, 06:00
In a special report posted on 1 June, INSIVUMEH reported that activity at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex remained high. Two strong explosions generated ash plumes that rose as high as 2.4 km above the complex and drifted 30-40 km NE, SE, and SW. During 3-4 June gas-and-ash plumes rose 300 m.
Read all