Dramatic photos show lava spewing from Fuego volcano in Guatemala

Guatemala's Fuego volcano erupted dramatically on Monday, sending plumes of ash and lava soaring nearly four miles into the sky and prompting authorities to issue an orange alert and order evacuations in nearby communities.

The eruption, which began Monday morning, intensified significantly by nightfall. Live images on Tuesday morning showed vast clouds of gas and ash blanketing the area around the volcano, located just 22 miles from the capital, Guatemala City. The country's disaster coordination agency, CONRED, described the lava flows as mixtures of volcanic gases, ash, rocks, and high temperatures moving rapidly down the slopes.

Guatemala's Institute of Volcanology warned that the volcano was potentially entering a more explosive phase. It specifically cautioned about hot volcanic debris flows descending Fuego's slopes, identifying communities on the western and southern flanks as being at the greatest risk. Ashfall was also anticipated in surrounding areas.

Fuego, one of Central America's most active volcanoes, is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire." Its frequent activity has led to several mass evacuations in recent years. In 2018, a devastating eruption killed 215 people and left hundreds missing when lava flows engulfed a nearby village. Last year, over 500 people were evacuated after an eruption, and approximately 1,200 were moved during a 2023 event.

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These flows are mixtures of volcanic gases, ash, rocks, and high temperatures that move rapidly down the volcano's slopes.