Fuego

Of all the volcanoes surrounding Antigua, Fuego is the only active one.  Yesterday, Fuego decided to show it’s energetic side as it came to life, resulting in evacuations and world news. Antigua is far enough away that it is sheltered from all volcanic activity, but we are still close enough to get a glimpse of the action. Last night we took a chicken bus to nearby Alotenango to get a closer look of the lava at night. So fascinating to see churning and burping as lava and ash shoot into the air. Little did we know we managed to catch the last bus to Alotenango which resulted in an interesting evening of trying to manage our way back to Antigua, but that’s a whole other story ;)

NASA caught a glimpse of Fuego erupting from space. It's quite the cloud of ash!

 

The Embassy of the United States of America Guatemala City, Guatemala

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens

September 13, 2012

Dear American Citizen:

The following Emergency Message alerts U.S. citizens to the ongoing seismic activity at the Fuego Volcano, located approximately 22 miles southwest of Guatemala City and eight miles south of Antigua.  Please share the following information with other U.S. citizens.  We hope to have this message disseminated as widely as possible within the U.S. citizen community. Please contact the American Citizen Services Unit via email (amcitsguatemala@state.gov), fax (2331-3804), or telephone (2326-4501) if you have any questions. Thank you very much for your support and assistance.

This Message alerts U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Guatemala, particularly in the areas immediately surrounding the Fuego Volcano (“Volcan de Fuego”), of increased seismic activity.

According to Guatemalan government agencies that are closely monitoring the situation, the Fuego Volcano continues to experience high levels of seismic activity, including explosions.  Volcanic ash is reaching up to 3000 meters above the crater of the volcano and is being driven southwest and north/northwest by current winds.  Lava is flowing in streams of up to 500 meters long.  CONRED, the Guatemalan National Disaster Coordination Agency, has raised the alert level to orange.  As of midday Thursday, September 13, Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport is not affected by the situation.

U.S. citizens should monitor local and international media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials as conditions can change rapidly.  U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents or copies thereof at all times (i.e. U.S. passport, birth certificate, picture IDs, etc.) or secure them in safe, waterproof locations.  We also suggest that U.S. citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts.