Guatemala's Fuego Volcano Erupts

The active Fuego volcano, near the south of Guatemala City, erupted on Sunday night in true dramatic fashion, spewing columns of ash around 7 km into the sky.

According to a report with The Guardian, officials had asked the local communities to stay vigilant, but were not advised to leave their homes. No evacuations were ordered as a result of Sunday night's volcanic activity. The Guatemalan Volcanological Institute has, however, advised aviation officials to ensure that their flights do not come in contact with the huge ash cloud. Despite the current conditions, none of the county's flights have been canceled.

The report says that the institute said that the Fuego volcano had produced sounds that were reminiscent to that of a train locomotive. The institution also said that Fuego, which translates to "Volcano of Fire," also produced strong explosions that rattled the roofs of houses and windows that were over 30 km away.

National disaster response spokesman David de Leon said that there were some particles that were reported to have fallen from the sky in at least eight neighboring towns. The eruption has only intensified over the recent days since its initial eruption on Sunday, and has created some striking imagery in the process.

The volcano stands about 12,300 feet above sea level, and is located on the south-west of the nation's capital. The volcano was reported to have erupted three times last year.

Fuego volcano erupted again in Nov. 10 last year, which also sent ash into the sky and lava running down the slopes. Six villages were reportedly covered in the volcano's ash. Guatemalan authorities were even forced to evacuate a local hotel. 

Fuego volcano also erupted in February last year, and has caused the government to close an airport. It was during this time that Guatemalan president Otto Perez ordered the evacuation of residents from their homes. This was reportedly the mountain's biggest eruption since 1999.

President Perez reported to BBC that black ash covered the sky, and showers of rock and dust fell on to surrounding towns. Tourists and locals had to wear masks for weeks on end following the explosion. The Fuego volcano is one of hundreds of volcanoes that form the Central American Volcanic Arc.

Telegraph reports that the explosion on Sunday night caused new lava flows and loud explosions. The news publication said that none of the mainland has been severely affected by the eruption.