Volcano Live
volcanolive.com
Pacaya Volcano - John Seach
Guatemala
14.38 N, 90.60 W
summit elevation 2552 m
complex volcano
Pacaya is one of the world's most active volcanoes. It lies approximately 25 km south of Guatemala City. Activity at the volcano consists of strombolian eruptions, ash eruptions, and lava flows.
A caldera forming eruption occurred 23,000 years ago. The volcanic complex contains three old summits: Cerro Chino (2260 m), Cerro Chiquito (2460 m) and Cerro Grande (2560 m). Two lavas (basaltic andesite and dacite), coexist at Cerro Chiquito dome.
2005-2010 Lava Flows
During January-March 2005 a new phase of activity developed at Pacaya, where the active cone emitted small amounts of lava. During March-April 2005 cracks opened on the MacKenney crater. In April 2005 an 800 m long lava flow effused from fissures on the cone's ENE side. Multiple lava flows, up to 300 m long, were visible at the volcano on 20th November 2008.
2000-2002 Lava Lake
From August 2000 to June 2001 a lava lake was present in the crater, and a glow and was often visible from Guatemala city.
2000 Paroxysmal Eruptions
Eruptive pattern changed in the year 2000. Paroxysmal eruptions occurred in January 2000, and 29th February 2000.
Eruptions from 1961-2000
Strombolian activity persisted during this period, typically with two to three paroxysmal eruptions each year.
Pacaya Volcano Eruptions
1961-2010, 1885, 1846, 1830?, 1805, 1775, 1760?, 1717?, 1699, 1693, 1690, 1687,1678, 1677?, 1674, 1671, 1668-69, 1664, 1655, 1651, 1623?, 1565.