Vulkan alarm in Guatemala: over 30,000 people in danger!

Vulkan alarm in Guatemala: over 30,000 people in danger!

The Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala has again set a huge outbreak signal. On March 10, 2025, the surrounding communities fought with the consequences of an outbreak that hurled up to seven kilometers up to seven kilometers. Hot streams made of gas, ash and rock rapidly flocked the slopes of the 3,763 meter high volcano. Around 30,000 people in three districts were asked by the authorities to get to safety. Claudinne Ogaldes from the national civil protection authority Conred said that these people were in direct danger. Hundreds of them have already been brought to safety. School lessons were suspended in several municipalities due to the impending dangers, while ash rats also fell in other adjacent districts.

The Volcán de Fuego, in which national language also called "Chi Q’Aq '", is known as the most active volcano Guatemalas. It is located at the borders of the Departments Chimaltango, Escuintla and Sacatepéquez, about 16 kilometers west of Antigua and around 40 kilometers southwest of the capital Guatemala City. The history of the volcano is characterized by frequent eruptions. The last outbreaks include events in June and November 2018, September 23, 2021, and December 11, 2022. The eruption of 2018 was particularly catastrophic, which ended with at least 200 dead and hundreds of missing persons, while the volcano again required the evacuation of several communities due to eruptive phenomena.

consequences and measures

The dangers from the current outbreak are considerable and the evacuation measures are already in full swing. In the past, the Volcán de Fuego became known for the smallest explosions of gas and ashes that occur every 15 to 20 minutes. However, this low -frequency activity is in strong contrast to the isolated but massive eruptions that have been recorded in the past. In the past centuries there have been several noticeable eruptions, including those from 1581, 1717 and 1932, in which the surrounding areas were covered with ashes.

In order to better manage future disasters, the security authorities are intensively working on improving the evacuation plans and the awareness of the population for the dangers of a volcanic eruption. The fire volcano is not only an important geological phenomenon, but also a cultural heritage and an attraction for tourists, which reinforces the need to take comprehensive security precautions.

In addition to the local danger situation, it can be seen that an above -average volcanic activity has been found worldwide since the beginning of 2024. On average, around 50 volcanoes eruped average, and until December 2024 the Global Volcanism Program (GVP) recorded a significant number of eruptions. The Volcán de Fuego thus joins the global geological events that require constant surveillance and research. In the meantime, communities that live at the foot of the volcano can only hope that today's outbreak will not lead to another tragic event in the eventful history of this natural wonder

For current information and safety instructions, it is important to pursue official channels. The developments around the Volcán de Fuego are not only important for the population of Guatemala, but also for the international community, which deals with the risks and challenges of volcanic activity.