Four years after its devastating 2018 eruption, Guatemala's very own Fuego volcano erupts once more.
According to NDTV, Fuego is among the most active volcanoes within Central America, and it has erupted yet again. The volcano expelled large amounts of lava and ash. With this, Guatemala authorities were given no choice but to suspend operations in the major highway and in the country's biggest airport.
Fuego "Fire" Volcano Erupts
The word "Fuego" has Spanish roots, and it stands for "fire." According to BBC News, the volcano looks over the tourist area and former capital Antigua that is located around 16 km from the volcano. It is also one of the most active volcanoes within the region.
BBC also notes that this volcano is a composite volcano or a stratovolcano. Like other typical volcanos, its shape is steep and conical. Fuego can be seen from the Guatemala capital that is around 27 miles southwest from the summit of Fuego.
Last Saturday night, locals were able to observe an expulsion from the volcano that made the sky redden. Indigenous Mayan farmer Demetrio Pamal shared how the locals are used to the sight and that they see it as a normal occurrence.
NDTV notes how several families from the area already have an emergency bag packed with water, food, medicines, and a flashlight. They do so in case they need to evacuate for around three days.
The said volcano had heightened activity overnight, from Saturday to Sunday. Lava was oozing and flowing down the rocky slopes while ash jumped around two kilometers up to the sky. The strong winds brought the ash into Guatemala City that was around 22 miles away from the volcano.
La Aurora International Airport Suspends Operations
Located six kilometers at the southern part of the capital is the country's biggest airport, the La Aurora International Airport. Operations of the said airport had to be halted halfway through the morning because ash was observed close to the runway. There were at least two arrivals that had to be canceled because of this.
The airport then reopened around the middle of the day after the direction of the winds changed. This change in direction sent the ash in the airport away.
Major Highway Closed as a Precaution
Aside from the airport, the major highway that connects the central and southern parts of Guatemala had to be closed. The road then reopened by afternoon of Sunday when volcanic activity leveled down.
2018 Fuego Eruption
According to NDTV, the volcano erupts every four or five years.
Last 2018, the volcano also erupted, making lava pulse down its slopes. This eruption led to the devastation of the San Miguel Los Lotes village and reportedly killed around 215 people, according to the Voice of America.
Because of this devastating event that took place four years ago, authorities are more heightened and active, as stated by Alotenango resident Jose Sul.
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