The Santiaguito in Guatemala erupted explosively yesterday, generating small pyroclastic flows. Volcanic ash rose to an altitude of 4600 m and drifted in a southwestern direction. Ash fall was reported from some communities around the volcano.
The Santiaguito are several generations of lava domes that formed in the collapsed flank of the larger Santa Maria Volcano. Currently only one dome is growing and this at low speed. Every day there are smaller explosions and the descent of rockfalls and debris avalanches. Pyroclastic flows are often generated in phases of increased activity.