| Pacaya | |
|---|---|
 An eruption of Pacaya in 1976 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,552 m (8,373 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 1,077 m (3,533 ft) |
| Listing | List of volcanoes in Guatemala |
| Coordinates | 14°22′51″N 90°36′04″W / 14.38083°N 90.60111°W[1] |
| Geography | |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | 0-23,000 |
| Mountain type | Complex volcano |
| Volcanic arc | Central America Volcanic Arc |
| Last eruption | February 14, 2021 - ongoing |
Pacaya is an active complex volcano in Guatemala, which first erupted approximately 23,000 years ago and has erupted at least 23 times since the Spanish conquest of Guatemala. It rises to an elevation of 2,552 metres (8,373 ft).[1] After being dormant for over 70 years, it began erupting vigorously in 1961 and has been erupting frequently since then. Much of its activity is Strombolian, but occasionally Plinian eruptions also occur, sometimes showering the area of the nearby Departments with ash.[1]
Pacaya is a popular tourist attraction. It is even the home to the popular Guatemala Impact Marathon which pioneered the use of a running route across the lava field created by the 2010 eruption and supports the local communities through runners endeavouring to complete the challenge.[2] It lies 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Guatemala City and close to Antigua.[3] The volcano sits inside the Escuintla Department.[3][4] Volcano Boarding is also practiced on the craters of Pacaya.[5]
Villagers near Pacaya ignored an evacuation request as the volcano threw ash into the air in March 2021.[6]
- ^ a b c d "Pacaya". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
- ^ "Guatemala Impact Marathon". Impact Marathon.
- ^ a b Google Earth
- ^ Servicio de Informacion Municipal, Departmento de Escuintla (in Spanish), retrieved 2010-01-14
- ^ "Volcano Boarding in Guatemala". Sand-boarding.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "Evacuation request ignored at Guatemala's Pacaya volcano". ABC News. March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.