The communities surrounding the Fuego volcano in Guatemala should never have been built.
The Fuego volcano in Guatemala, erupted on Sunday, June 3rd. The explosion caused large pyroclastic flows at high speeds that buried several communities, leaving at least 75 dead and over 200 people missing.
The deadly path
Pyroclastic flows can topple structures and can kill any living thing in their path. In the case of the Guatemalan volcano, studies indicate that this deadly effect occurs every 4 decades from eruptions.
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The flow reached up to 93 mph. The high temperatures destroyed everything in its path
El Rodeo
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The mix was denser than air, so it kept the flow along the ground of the mountain
Campo de Golf
La Reunión
San Miguel
Los Lotes
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The explosion caused a mix of gases and rock particles.
In 2001, the United States Geological Society (USGS) published a study of the hazardous zones around the Fuego volcano. They published several maps indicating how many of the surrounding communities were in danger of lahars (flows of volcanic material mixed with water) and pyroclastic flows.
The volcano erupted once again, two days after the original explosion of June 3rd. Authorities have evacuated several zones of the Escuintla department, in case of further pyroclastic flows moving south.
An image of the pyroclastic flow from the Fuego volcano eruption last Sunday.
