Acatenango and Fuego

Here are some photo's from a recent hike up Acatenango volcano, which stands at 3,976 m (13,045 ft). It last erupted from vents in the side of it's highest crater in the 1920's and 1972 and is considered dorment, which means it could erupt again. Acatenango is connected by a ridge to Fuego which is still very active, constantly releasing smoke and small scale eruptions.

The summit of Acatenango, on the rim of the highest crater, with the cone of Agua volcano, and Pacaya volcano smoking in the distance

Looking down from the summit to the vents, which apparently erupted in the 1930's.

Alex, who along with Jonathan was visiting from New Jersey standing on the rim of the crater.

Looking across the crater to Fuego volcano



 

 

View to Agua volcano

The lower crater of Acatenango with vents in the foreground

Fuego volcano, which erupted twice while we were on Acatenango, sounding like a clap of thunder.



 

 



 

 

Jonathan looking like he's walking on the moon.

Some more shots of the vents...

Earthquake update

There was another small tremor in the early hours of the morning. We also had some very heavy rain here last week. On Wednesday afternoon there was a torrential downpour, within minutes the streets of Antigua were fast flowing rivers.  I heard that one of the poorly built houses on the hills overlooking Jocotenango was washed away by floodwater. I understand that no brothers were affected by the earthquake or floods.

Earthquake

Just had a 6.5 earthquake here about half an hour ago. I've felt a few tremors before, but this one sent me running out of the house, everything in the house was rattling and when I got outside the electricity pylons were swaying and the cables were swinging to and fro, all the dogs went crazy. the emergency services are on standby. apparently the whole country felt it. the epicentre was quite close.  there was a small aftershock not long after the big one. seems to be calm now.