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Santiaguito volcano (Guatemala): large hot lahars threaten volcano observatory

Sat, 7 Jun 2014, 08:14 | BY: T
Location of the volcano observatory at Santiaguito (image: Culture Volcan / google earth)
Location of the volcano observatory at Santiaguito (image: Culture Volcan / google earth)
The tropical storm Boris that has been hitting the country over the past days continues to produce heavy rainfalls that in turn cause large mud flows.
The large collapse of parts of the lava dome on 9 May has left significant amounts of hot debris at the foot of the volcano, in particular in the upper river bed of the Nima 1. These deposits are now being remobilized and descend the river beds as boiling hot mud flows that contain boulders, tree parts and other debris of up to several meters in size and are extremely destructive.
CONRED has issued warnings to avoid all areas near river beds and deltas.
The videos below were shot at Castillo Armas Bridge, located 20 miles away. The mudslide had time to mix with colder waters of the river, but the flow still steams due to the hot masses that were incorporated into the lahar:

Another consequence of the current lahars was that INSIVUMEH staff was forced to evacuate the Santiaguito Volcano Observatory, even though it is located approx. 100 m away and 10 m above the river bed. INSIVUMEH describes that the building was threatened by mud waves 5-9 m height, and that boulders of 5 meters in diameter could be seen carried by the flow.

Previous news

Wed, 4 Jun 2014, 06:00

Santa Maria volcano (Guatemala) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 4 June-10 June 2014 (New Activity / Unrest)

On 6 June INSIVUMEH reported that the Santiaguito Observatory (OBSAN) was seriously affected by a large lahar that descended the Nima I river drainage on the S flank of Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex. The lahar came in waves, 5-9 m high, was 80 m wide, and carried blocks up to 5 m in diameter. It overtopped the river banks and flowed to a nearby farm. ... Read all
Tue, 3 Jun 2014, 07:46

Santa María / Santiaguito volcano (Guatemala) activity update

Ongoing heavy rainfalls continue to trigger strong lahars, particularly through the Nimá I and San Isidro rivers. ... Read all
Show more
Santa Maria volcano satellite image (c) Google Earth View
Santa Maria volcano satellite image (c) Google Earth View
Santiaguito volcano
Stratovolcano 3772 m (12,375 ft)
Guatemala, 14.76°N / -91.55°W
Current status: erupting (4 out of 5) Santiaguito volcano eruptions:
1902 (catastrophic Plinian eruption of Santa Maria), 1903, 1922-ongoing (Santiaguito dome complex)
Typical eruption style
Dominantly explosive, formation of lava domes
Santiaguito Volcano Tours
11-day volcano tour to Pacaya and Fuego, Guatemala
8-12 days - Moderate to Challenging
Price $ 3490
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