GUATEMALA CITY, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- A volcano erupted in Guatemala on Saturday, spewing ash for thousands of feet into the sky, halting air traffic as scores of people evacuated the area.

The Volcan de Fuego, or "fire volcano," spewed ashes 18,000 feet above sea level, raining rocks and debris on surrounding towns, according to Guatemala's national disaster agency.


Towns in the vicinity of the eruption were evacuated of at least 100 people, and large pillars of black ash prompted a halt to air traffic at Guatemala's La Aurora International Airport. The airport reopened Sunday.

One of Central America's most active volcanoes, the 12,345-foot Volcan de Fuego has had frequent periods of activity, including in 2007 and 2012, when surrounding areas were evacuated of 35,000 people during the largest eruption by the volcano since 1999.