On 9 March 2025, Guatemala’s Fuego Volcano erupted, forcing the evacuation of over 300 people and prompting an orange alert from the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED). The eruption, which lasted until the following day, led to school closures and the shutdown of a key road in the region.
Located 53 km from Guatemala City, Fuego is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes. At 3,763 meters high, it has a history of deadly eruptions, including one in 2018 that claimed nearly 200 lives. Experts warn that the greatest threat from Fuego is not just eruptions but lahars — fast-moving flows of ash, mud, and debris capable of burying entire communities.
This image, captured on 9 March 2025 by a Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite, shows the thermal anomaly detected at Fuego’s summit. Sentinel-2 provides vital data on volcanic activity, helping authorities monitor eruptions and assess risks to nearby communities.
Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery
