The main airport of Guatemala Was ctemporarily wrong this Sunday morning, after the eruption of the Fire volcanothe most active in Central America, which in 2018 caused an avalanche that left 215 dead in that country.
On Sunday afternoon, the 3,763 meter high volcano, located about 35 kilometers from Guatemala Citythe eruptive phase that had begun on Saturday night ended.
“After several hours of relative calm, this eruptive activity can be considered finished,” said Roberto Mérida, a technician from the Guatemalan volcanological institute, the AFP agency reported.
“The return to normal levels of activity was noted” of the volcano, Mérida added, after the lava emission and the ash-laden smoke columns that had led to the closure of La Aurora international airport and the RN-14 route had ended.
The airport of the Guatemalan capital was closed this Sunday morning due to “the presence of ashes” near the runwaybut reopened about three hours later when the wind blew them away, said the director of Civil Aeronautics, Francis Argueta.
The Fuego volcano is rough. pic.twitter.com/vRlWUN8Aw5
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The closure forced the diversion of two flights that were supposed to land in La Aurora, one from Miami and the other from Santo Domingo, and delayed the takeoff of other planes, according to aeronautical sources.
The eruptive phase of this volcano was marked by strong explosions, expulsion of ash, lava flows, and burning material (pyroclastic flow), the volcanology institute said.
The entity also warned about the possible descent of more avalanches of burning material down the slopes and ravines.
The Fuego volcano is reputed to be the most active in Central America.
This seven-country region is home to more than a hundred volcanoes, many of which are popular tourist destinations, though they occasionally cause death and destruction.
On June 3, 2018, the Fuego volcano caused an avalanche of burning material that devastated the town of San Miguel Los Lotes and covered part of the highway that was closed this Sunday, leaving 215 dead and a similar number missing.
“With what happened in 2018, now the authorities are already more alert and more active,” said José Sul, another resident of Alotenango.
The Fuego volcano adjoins the inactive Acatenango volcano (3,500 meters high). In addition, the Santiaguito (west) and Pacaya (south) volcanoes are also active in Guatemala.
Unlike the Andean volcanoes of South America, the Guatemalan volcanoes do not have snow on their tops due to the temperate climate of Central America.
