Insights into the 2018 eruption of Volcan de Fuego, Guatemala, from geophysical data and visual observations.
Abstract
Volcan Fuego, Guatemala, erupted on 3 June 2018, producing one of the most catastrophic volcanic events of the last century in Guatemala, and worldwide. The eruption displaced over 12,000 people; local authorities confirmed 113 casualties; 332 people remain missing at the time of this writing. The main phase of the eruption started at 12:00 (UTC) on June 3, 2018, lasting over 12 hours. At 18:30 the Washington VAAC (Volcanic Ash Advisory Center) reported ash at 9 km above sea level; concurrently, pyroclastic density currents travelled as far as 10 km down slope, fed by sustained eruptive activity and the partial collapse of a small sector of the edifice. Tephra fell at distances of greater than 25 km from the active vent. Lahars were reported as early as 5 h after the main eruptive episode, and continued throughout June and July. Owing to vast amounts of pyroclastic material deposited by the eruption, a heavy regional rain season, and the numerous settlements in the area, lahars represent a major threat to population and infrastructure within several tens of km of Fuego. Here we report preliminary results from retrospective analyses of geophysical data and visual observations of unrest before, during, and after the events of June 2018. Acoustic infrasound data collected from a temporary deployment a few days before the events of 3 June—and unfortunately, not available in real-time at the time of unrest—provide unequivocal evidence of elevated and continuous surface degassing, suggesting the presence of a significant amount of gas-charged magma at shallow depth prior to erupt. The main phase of the eruption began with gas-rich explosions building into continuous, vigorous, ash-rich emissions that fuelled a sustained plume, similar to past paroxysms at Fuego. We interpret these observations within the framework of long-term eruptive behaviour of Fuego, identifying analogies and differences with past activity. Finally, we discuss post-eruption efforts to implement a new monitoring system for unrest, eruption, and lahars at Fuego.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFM.V23K0185D
- Keywords:
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- 0545 Modeling;
- COMPUTATIONAL GEOPHYSICSDE: 7280 Volcano seismology;
- SEISMOLOGYDE: 8428 Explosive volcanism;
- VOLCANOLOGY