Santa María

 

Santa Maria is an active stratovolcano located in southwestern Guatemala. The volcano has produced one of the twentieth century’s largest eruptions. For thousand years, Santa Maria’s eruptions have been relatively small but frequent, causing it to build a large cone of approx 1,400m

Location: Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Coordinates: 14.756985, -91.553462
Volcano Type: Stratovolcano

 

Santa Maria’s Location

 

Santa Maria’s Latest Status

2024: Santa Maria remains highly active, producing regular eruptions with plumes rising to almost 5000 meters.

 

Santa Maria’s Eruptive History

1902 First eruption in recorded history. It is believed Santa Maria remained dormant for thousands of years prior. So large was the eruption in 1902 that is created ash fall in San Francisco.
1970’s 1973- A large avalanche created an ash plume to 8000m. Strong explosive activity producing large ash columns, ash falls in surrounding communities and pyroclastic flows.
1980’s Regular activity (including a lateral blast) producing lava flows
1990’s Activity continues. Large ash columns, lava flows and pyroclastic flows.
2000-2010 2000 – Significant lava flow traveling almost 3km. 2002 – Lahars
2010-2015 2014 – Explosive event on 9 May 2014 producing ash plume to 4000m.
2016 Explosive event in January producing ash plume to 5000m and pyroclastic flows. Significant lava flows.
2017 Significant growth of the lava dome
2018 Ash and steam eruptions continue. Ongoing degassing.
2019 Multiple daily eruptions. Persistent thermal activity.
2020 Daily eruptive activity continues, producing pyroclastic flows. Multiple ash advisories.
2023 April 2023: Santa Maria continues to erupt from the Santiaguito lava-dome complex.
2024 Santa Maria remains highly active, producing regular eruptions with plumes rising to almost 5000 meters.

 

Santa Maria Monitoring

For monitoring of Guatemala’s Volcanoes, please refer to INSIVUMEH

 

Santa Maria Images