🌋VolcanoAtlas

Pacaya

Guatemala's Perpetually Erupting Volcano

Elevation

2,569 m

Last Eruption

2021

Type

Complex volcano

Country

Guatemala

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Lava flows and fountaining
  • Volcanic gas emissions
  • Local explosive activity

Risk Level

Population at RiskLow
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity5 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

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Escuintla Department
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green grass field and mountains under blue sky during daytime

レオネル ラム

via Unsplash

photography of people standing beside lava during daytime

Dimitry B

via Unsplash

Other Volcanoes in Guatemala

Interesting Facts

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Pacaya erupted nearly continuously for 45 years (1965–2010), one of the longest sustained eruption episodes at any Central American volcano.

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The May 27, 2010 eruption deposited ash across Guatemala City (population ~3 million), closed La Aurora International Airport, and killed at least two people.

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Pacaya's eruptions are frequently visible from Guatemala City, making it one of the most-watched active volcanoes in the Americas.

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A catastrophic collapse of the older Pacaya Viejo cone between 600 and 1,500 years ago produced a debris-avalanche deposit extending 25 km onto the Pacific coastal plain.

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Pacaya is built on the southern rim of the 14 × 16 km Pleistocene Amatitlán caldera, adjacent to Lago de Amatitlán.

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The volcano's basaltic composition is unusual for a Central American arc volcano and produces the fluid lava flows and spectacular Strombolian fountains that characterize its activity.

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Tourists visiting Pacaya during active phases can roast marshmallows on hot lava — an experience that has become iconic in Guatemalan adventure tourism.

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The 2010 Pacaya eruption coincided with Tropical Storm Agatha, creating a compound disaster that displaced over 100,000 people across Guatemala.

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The Mackenney cone — Pacaya's currently active summit — grew inside the horseshoe-shaped scar left by the ancient sector collapse of Pacaya Viejo.

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The 17th century was Pacaya's most active historical period, with at least 10 eruptions between 1623 and 1699.

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Pacaya National Park receives tens of thousands of visitors annually, making it one of Guatemala's most popular natural attractions.

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The NW-flank Cerro Chino crater, last active in the 19th century, is now heavily vegetated and serves as a secondary hiking trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pacaya volcano active?
Yes, Pacaya is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. It has produced 36 recorded eruptions and was in a state of nearly continuous eruption from 1965 to 2010 (45 years). The most recent eruption activity lasted from 2015 to 2021. The volcano is monitored by INSIVUMEH and is considered likely to resume Strombolian eruptions. Its eruptions are frequently visible from Guatemala City, approximately 30 km to the north.
When did Pacaya last erupt?
Pacaya's most recent eruption was a prolonged Strombolian episode from June 2015 to 2021 (VEI 1), featuring intermittent lava fountains and lava flow extrusion from the Mackenney Crater. Prior to that, the volcano was in a near-continuous eruption from 1965 to 2010, culminating in the explosive VEI 3 event of May 27, 2010 that deposited ash across Guatemala City.
Can you hike Pacaya?
Yes, Pacaya is one of Guatemala's most popular hiking destinations. The guided hike departs from San Francisco de Sales village (approximately 1.5 hours from Guatemala City or Antigua) and takes about 2–3 hours to reach the upper slopes, gaining roughly 500 m in elevation. Park entry costs approximately $6 USD, and licensed guides are required. During active phases, visitors can observe lava flows at close range. Evening hikes are popular for viewing incandescent activity.
How dangerous is Pacaya?
Pacaya poses moderate-to-high risk. The May 2010 VEI 3 eruption killed at least two people, closed Guatemala City's airport, and combined with Tropical Storm Agatha to displace over 100,000 people. Approximately 10,000 people live on the volcano's flanks, and the Guatemala City metro area (~3 million) is within ashfall range. However, Pacaya's typical Strombolian activity is less lethal than the explosive eruptions of nearby Fuego, which killed over 200 people in 2018.
What type of volcano is Pacaya?
Pacaya is classified as a complex volcano consisting of multiple overlapping edifices within the Pleistocene Amatitlán caldera. The currently active feature is the Mackenney stratovolcano, built inside the collapse scar of the older Pacaya Viejo cone. It erupts basaltic to picro-basaltic magma — unusually mafic for a Central American subduction-zone volcano — producing fluid lava flows and characteristic Strombolian eruption fountains.
How tall is Pacaya?
Pacaya's summit (the Mackenney cone) stands at 2,569 m (8,428 ft) above sea level. However, the summit height fluctuates as eruptions alternately build up and excavate the cone. The relative height above the surrounding terrain is approximately 500–600 m on the approach from San Francisco de Sales. For comparison, nearby Fuego reaches 3,763 m and Agua stands at 3,760 m.
What happened during the 2010 Pacaya eruption?
On May 27, 2010, Pacaya produced a powerful VEI 3 explosion that deposited ash across Guatemala City and surrounding areas. At least two people were killed, thousands were evacuated, and La Aurora International Airport was closed. Ballistic blocks impacted areas up to 3 km from the vent. The eruption coincided with Tropical Storm Agatha, and the combined disaster displaced over 100,000 people and caused an estimated $1 billion in damage.
Is it safe to visit Pacaya during an eruption?
Pacaya's typical Strombolian activity — lava fountains and slow-moving lava flows — can often be observed from safe distances along designated trails within Pacaya National Park. Licensed guides know the safe viewing areas. However, during periods of heightened explosive activity (like the 2010 eruption), access is restricted by CONRED. Visitors should always check current volcanic alerts from INSIVUMEH before visiting and follow guide instructions strictly.