Agua
Stratovolcano in Guatemala
Key Facts
Elevation
3,760 m (12,336 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
14.465°, -90.743°
Region
Central America Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
The symmetrical, forested Volcán de Agua stratovolcano forms an impressive backdrop to the city of Antigua, Guatemala, opposite from the Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes. The isolated basaltic andesite to andesite edifice makes it a prominent landmark visible from all directions. A circular 280-m-wide crater is breached on the NNE, six small pit craters are located on the NW flank, and two small cones lie on the S flank.
No dated Holocene tephra deposits or recorded eruptions are known from Agua, but its name (the water volcano) originates from a devastating mudflow on 11 September 1541. The mudflow destroyed Ciudad Vieja, the first Guatemalan capital city established by the Spanish Conquistadors, prompting the establishment of a new capital at nearby Antigua.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 342100
- •Evidence: Evidence Credible
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Volcán de Agua is seen here in an aerial view from the SE, with the town of Palín to the lower right along the highway between Guatemala City (just out of view to the right) and Escuintla.
Copyrighted photo by Stephen O'Meara, 1994.
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.