Latest reports from Guatemalan INSIVUMEH note that seismic and surface activity have increased during the past days and are characterized by the appearance of continuous tremor and more frequent strombolian explosions. This suggests a batch of fresh magma is currently rising. Incandescence was observed at night.

This activity is part of the Pacaya eruptive behavior. However, this increases the probability of lava flows in the coming days. It will also be possible to observe the strombolian explosive activity at the MacKenney crater.

Already, the intra-crater cone has surpassed the rim of the crater by 4 meters and is now visible from outside.

PCG station is continuously recording seismic explosions and internal vibrations.

This morning's seismic signal from Pacaya (PCG station, INSIVUMEH).

Long duration events have periods of up to 7 minutes. CONRED still keeps yellow alert and is prepared for any sudden change in activity.

The Department of Civil Aviation notes that Pacaya's eruption pattern is changing, and that in the coming days may be influenced by fine particles of volcanic ash.

Featured image: Long-term strombolian eruptions began at Pacaya volcano in 1965 and continued for more than a quarter century. Nighttime incandescent explosions are often visible from Guatemala City, 40 km to the north. The accumulation of ejecta from frequent strombolian eruptions periodically raises the height of MacKenney cone after it has been partially destroyed by intermittent larger explosions. This November 1988 photo also shows a lava flow from a fissure on the west flank of MacKenney cone descending the right-hand skyline. Photo by Lee Siebert, 1988 (Smithsonian Institution).