Volcanic Landforms

Tucked within the Valley of Panchoy, Antigua was the host of Guatemala’s third capital. The three major volcanoes surrounding this area include: Volcán de Fuego (3,763 meters/12,346 feet), Volcán de Agua (3,760 meters/12,336 feet), and Volcán Acatenango (3,976 meters/13,044 feet). These extrusive composite volcanoes are part of the Central American Volcanic Arc, which is a result of subduction of the Pacific oceanic crust beneath the North American and Caribbean Plate.

Volcán de Fuego remains one of Central America’s most active volcanoes with sporadic activity such as lava fountaining, ash plumes, and pyroclastic flows. Additionally, the Fuego-Acatenango massif has over five volcanic vents which risk collapsing and triggering devastating debris avalanches. Over 100,000 people would be at risk if Volcán de Fuego erupted, and that number could be even more depending on how the volcanoes layers, or strata, react to the force of the eruption.

Although Volcán de Fuego is the only active volcano, both Volcán Acatenango and Volcán de Agua have created, and still have the potential to create, significant environmental impacts.

Volcán Acatenango’s prehistoric collapse is responsible for forming the La Democracia debris avalanche deposit which covered a lot of the Pacific Coastal Plain. The Fuego-Acatenango massif has multiple volcanic vents which risk collapsing and triggering devastating debris avalanches. The composite volcanoes intermediate slope steepness and intense activity make it incredibly dangerous since lahars (mudflows), pyroclastic flows, and debris avalanches can travel great distances.

Volcán de Agua’s isolated position makes it an ideal reference point. The Volcán de Agua’s symmetrical profile also suggest it’s relatively young age. In 1541 Volcán de Agua’s lahars destroyed the country’s second capital which was relocated to Antigua. The capital was later moved to Guatemala City, and the city became referred to as Antigua Guatemala (the Old Guatemala).

References:

http://www.goto-guatemala.com/guatemala-volcanoes.html

https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/guatemala.html