Guatemala Volcano Tracker: Live Activity & Alert Levels

In short: Guatemala has 37 volcanoes but only 3 are highly active and continuously monitored by INSIVUMEH: Volcán de Fuego (3,763 m) — the most active in Central America, in continuous Strombolian eruption since 2002; Santiaguito (2,500 m) — lava-dome complex on Santa María’s flank; Pacaya (2,552 m) — 30 km from Guatemala City and the most accessible to hike. The 4-level alert system is Green / Yellow / Orange / Red. The June 3, 2018 Fuego eruption killed 400+ people in San Miguel Los Lotes. Emergency: CONRED 1566, Bomberos 122, Cruz Roja 125. Verified May 2026.

Guatemala’s Volcanic Landscape

Guatemala sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, with a chain of 37 volcanoes stretching 300 km along its southern highlands. This volcanic arc is fueled by the Cocos Plate subducting beneath the Caribbean Plate along the Middle America Trench, approximately 100 km off the Pacific coast.

The Three Active Giants

Of Guatemala’s 37 volcanoes, three remain highly active and are continuously monitored by INSIVUMEH (Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia e Hidrologia):

Volcan de Fuego (3,763 m) — The most active volcano in Central America. Since 2002, Fuego has maintained near-continuous Strombolian eruptions with daily explosions, ash columns, and occasional pyroclastic flows. The devastating June 2018 eruption killed over 400 people and remains a stark reminder of volcanic risk.

Santiaguito (2,500 m) — A lava dome complex growing on the flank of Santa Maria volcano since 1922. Santiaguito produces frequent explosions, ash emissions, and block-and-ash flows. The parent volcano, Santa Maria, produced one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century in 1902 (VEI 6).

Pacaya (2,552 m) — Just 30 km from Guatemala City, Pacaya is Guatemala’s most accessible active volcano and a popular tourist destination. Its intermittent Strombolian eruptions produce lava flows sometimes visible from the capital.

Why This Tracker Matters

Volcanic activity directly affects millions of Guatemalans. Fuego alone threatens communities across three departments (Sacatepequez, Escuintla, and Chimaltenango). Ash plumes from any of the three active volcanoes can disrupt flights at La Aurora International Airport and cause respiratory problems in surrounding areas.

This tracker pulls data from INSIVUMEH, the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, and the Washington VAAC to provide a centralized view of current alert levels, ash advisories, eruption history, and safety guidance.

Emergency Preparedness

Guatemala’s disaster agency CONRED coordinates volcanic emergency response. If you live near an active volcano, you should have an emergency kit, know your evacuation routes, and monitor INSIVUMEH bulletins daily. Keep these numbers saved: CONRED 1566, Bomberos 122, Ambulancia 128, Cruz Roja 125.

Hike a Volcano (Guided Tours)

The two volcanoes safe to visit are Pacaya (3-4 hour easy hike from Guatemala City) and Acatenango (overnight expedition with views of erupting Fuego from a base camp). Fuego itself is not climbable — it actively erupts. Tours include transport, guide, gear rental, and food for overnighters.