Santamaria volcano
| Santamaria | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Elevation: | 12,372 ft (3,772 m) |
| Latitude: | 14.8° N |
| Longitude: | 91.5° W |
| Location: | Guatemala |
| Range: | Sierra Madre |
| Type: | Stratovolcano |
Volcán Santamaria is a large active volcano in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, close to the city of Quetzaltenango. Its eruption in 1902 was the second-largest eruption of the 20th century, and the third large eruption of that one year (the others were Mt._Pelée in Martinique, and Soufriere in Guadeloupe).
The 1902 eruption blasted away most of one side of the 3,772m tall mountain. Some 5.5 cubic km (1.3 cubic miles) of volcanic material was ejected during the 19-day eruption, and the ash column reached heights of up to 28km. The eruption devastated the surrounding areas.
In 1922, a new volcanic vent formed in the enormous crater, and formed a new volcano, Santiaguito. Santiaguito has been erupting ever since and now forms a cone a few hundred metres tall, reaching an elevation of about 2,500m. Today, it is possible to climb to the top of Santamaria and look down on the ongoing eruptions at Santiaguito, 1,200m below, a situation which may be unique in the world.
References (external links)
- Santamaria - pictures and recent activity, from VolcanoWorld (http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/south_america/guat/santa_maria.html)
Categories: Stratovolcanoes | Subduction volcanoes | Volcanoes of Guatemala | Mountains