Complex volcanoes

Pacaya

Pacaya (Guatemala) is a complex volcano. It rises to 2,569 m above sea level. The GVP records 32 confirmed eruptions in the Holocene, the latest in 2021.

Elevation
2,569 m
Last eruption
2021
Confirmed eruptions
32
Max VEI
3
Country
Guatemala
Location
14.38° N, 90.60° W
Region (GVP)
Central America Volcanic Arc
GVP type
Complex
Tectonic setting
Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km)
Main rock type
Basalt / Picro-Basalt

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Other volcanoes and strong earthquakes within 300 km

Eruption history

VEI – Volcanic Explosivity Index: 0 = lava outpouring, 4 = like Eyjafjallajökull 2010, 6 = like Pinatubo 1991, 7 = like Tambora 1815. The scale is logarithmic – each step is about 10 times more material.

StartEndVEIVent and dating
7 June 2015 13 August 2021 1 MacKenney Crater · Observations: Reported
25 August 2014 17 February 2015 1 MacKenney Crater · Observations: Reported
5 March 2013 10 April 2014 2 MacKenney Crater · Observations: Reported
9 March 2006 26 October 2010 3 MacKenney Cone · Observations: Reported
19 July 2004 11 September 2005 3 MacKenney Cone and lower S flank · Observations: Reported
30 May 2002 17 June 2002 1 MacKenney Crater · Observations: Reported
31 October 2001 31 October 2001 1 MacKenney Crater · Observations: Reported
16 August 2000 5 July 2001 1 MacKenney Crater · Observations: Reported
4 January 1990 1 March 2000 3 MacKenney Crater and flank vents · Observations: Reported
4 July 1965 10 March 1989 3 MacKenney Crater and flank vents · Observations: Reported
11 March 1961 15 April 1961 2 Cachajinas vent (South flank, 1860 m) · Observations: Reported
16 December 1885 — 2 Observations: Reported
16 February 1846 — 2 Cerro Chino · Observations: Reported
2 July 1805 — 2 Observations: Reported
1 July 1775 23 July 1775 3 Cerro Chino (SW flank and summit) · Observations: Reported
29 June 1699 — 2 Observations: Reported
1693 — 2 Observations: Reported
1690 — 2 Observations: Reported
26 March 1687 27 March 1687 2 Observations: Reported
August 1678 — 2 Observations: Reported
July 1674 — 2 Observations: Reported
August 1671 — 2 Observations: Reported
August 1668 29 June 1669 2 Observations: Reported
1664 — 3 Observations: Reported
July 1655 — 2 Observations: Reported
18 February 1651 13 April 1651 2 Observations: Reported
c. 1623 — 3 Observations: Reported
August 1565 — 3 Cerro Chino · Observations: Reported
1360 ± 75 years — 3 Cerro Chino · Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)
1160 ± 75 years — 3 MacKenney Crater · Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)
880 ± 500 years — 3 Correlation: Tephrochronology
400 ± 50 years — 2 Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

Data: Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution (#342110)