A powerful eruption of the Volcan de Fuego in Guatemala recently has sent shockwaves through the region, with strong explosions, incandescent material, and pyroclastic flows threatening nearby communities.
About Fuego Volcano:
Volcan de Fuego, which translates to "Volcano of Fire" in Spanish, is one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking Guatemala's former capital, Antigua.
Guatemala lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
Fuego is one of Central America's most active volcanoes.
It has a long history of violent eruptions, with records dating back to the 16th century.
A deadly eruption in 2018 claimed 194 lives and left 234 people missing.
The volcano's eruptive style is characterised by explosive events, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows, which pose major threats to nearby populations.
What is a Stratovolcano?
It is a tall, steep, and cone-shaped type of volcano.
Unlike flat shield volcanoes, they have higher peaks.At the peak, stratovolcanoes usually have a small crater.
They are usually about half-half lava and pyroclastic material, and the layering of these products gives them their other common name of composite volcanoes.
They are typically found above subduction zones, and they are often part of large volcanically active regions, such as the Ring of Fire that frames much of the Pacific Ocean.
Stratovolcanoes comprise the largest percentage (~60%) of the Earth's individual volcanoes.
Most are characterized by eruptions of andesite and dacite, lavas that are cooler and more viscous than basalt.
These more viscous lavas allow gas pressures to build up to high levels. Therefore, these volcanoes often suffer explosive eruptions.
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