Natural hazards can be frightening events that destroy entire communities and devastate
nations. They are extremely unpredictable and many come without any warning at all.
In many countries in the world, it is hard to battle these hazards, especially for those
living in Guatemala. I have chosen to study the country of Guatemala because of my
grandfather. My grandfather visits Guatemala every few weeks. He has a whole other
family there. When Volcan de Fuego erupted in June, my entire family was devastated.
We were worried for his friends and family in Guatemala. Thankfully, they were all safe
and far away from the deadly eruption.
nations. They are extremely unpredictable and many come without any warning at all.
In many countries in the world, it is hard to battle these hazards, especially for those
living in Guatemala. I have chosen to study the country of Guatemala because of my
grandfather. My grandfather visits Guatemala every few weeks. He has a whole other
family there. When Volcan de Fuego erupted in June, my entire family was devastated.
We were worried for his friends and family in Guatemala. Thankfully, they were all safe
and far away from the deadly eruption.
For Guatemala, natural hazards are a serious threat. The cities in Guatemala are not
developed. On the outskirts of Guatemala city, the people are very poor. Many people
build their own homes. These homes are not sturdy and do not serve as much protection
from environmental hazards, especially volcanic eruption. Guatemala has 37 active
volcanoes, but only 3 of them are active: Fuego, Pacaya, and Santiaguito (World Vision).
developed. On the outskirts of Guatemala city, the people are very poor. Many people
build their own homes. These homes are not sturdy and do not serve as much protection
from environmental hazards, especially volcanic eruption. Guatemala has 37 active
volcanoes, but only 3 of them are active: Fuego, Pacaya, and Santiaguito (World Vision).
Volcan de Fuego or the Volcano on Fire is a stratovolcano just outside the city of Antigua
Guatemala. It sits on the Ring of Fire, or the ring of volcanoes along the ocean on active
faults. It has erupted multiple times since 2004. Most of the eruptions last for multiple hours
and will spew large rocks and lava in multiple directions. Pyroclastic flows will last for days
after the eruptions take place causing ash and smoke to completely drown communities
and cover the sky (Fuego Volcano).
Guatemala. It sits on the Ring of Fire, or the ring of volcanoes along the ocean on active
faults. It has erupted multiple times since 2004. Most of the eruptions last for multiple hours
and will spew large rocks and lava in multiple directions. Pyroclastic flows will last for days
after the eruptions take place causing ash and smoke to completely drown communities
and cover the sky (Fuego Volcano).
The most recent eruption of Volcan de Fuego occured on June 2, 2018. The ash covered
everything in a large radius of the volcano. Clouds of ash were sent nearly 4 miles into the
air in the disastrous eruption. At least 3,000 people were evacuated in nearby villages and at least 69 were killed. Many more were injured and left without homes or resources for food
and water (NASA). Lahars and lava flows cut of emergency aid teams from getting to
survivors and many died as a result.
everything in a large radius of the volcano. Clouds of ash were sent nearly 4 miles into the
air in the disastrous eruption. At least 3,000 people were evacuated in nearby villages and at least 69 were killed. Many more were injured and left without homes or resources for food
and water (NASA). Lahars and lava flows cut of emergency aid teams from getting to
survivors and many died as a result.
Along with volcanos, comes lahars. A lahar is very fast moving mud and rock debris running
down a volcano after a large eruption. It can cause a lot of damage to homes and other
buildings. Lahars can trap people underneath it and cause many people to be injured or
even death. After a large eruption such as this one, a lahar is very common.
down a volcano after a large eruption. It can cause a lot of damage to homes and other
buildings. Lahars can trap people underneath it and cause many people to be injured or
even death. After a large eruption such as this one, a lahar is very common.
A lahar plowing through a village (Times Live).
Many of the homes in small, poor villages in Guatemala are built by the dwellers themselves.
They use cement but the roofs are usually very light and created with scrap metal or
thatching. Many people make their living on making handmade items and selling them at the
markets, farming, or building. It is not a developed country and the infrastructure is not
built to withstand a large amount or ash and mud on top of it.
They use cement but the roofs are usually very light and created with scrap metal or
thatching. Many people make their living on making handmade items and selling them at the
markets, farming, or building. It is not a developed country and the infrastructure is not
built to withstand a large amount or ash and mud on top of it.
If I wanted to map out which people are at higher risk I would need data including the
type of housing many have and the location of their homes. People further away from
the active volcano are much safer than those near the volcano. Ash may fill the sky,
but the lava flows will take much longer to get to homes, and people will have more time
to evacuate. In more developed villages, homes are able to withstand more outside forces
upon them, allowing for people to stay safer in the ash clouds.
type of housing many have and the location of their homes. People further away from
the active volcano are much safer than those near the volcano. Ash may fill the sky,
but the lava flows will take much longer to get to homes, and people will have more time
to evacuate. In more developed villages, homes are able to withstand more outside forces
upon them, allowing for people to stay safer in the ash clouds.
I believe that most volcanic eruptions in Guatemala will result in disaster. The intensity
of these eruptions is so great, and the lahars they create are so destructive, they have
the ability to destroy entire communities. Homes are almost always leveled by the mud
and if not, they are covered in ash. In Guatemala, transportation is not easily accessible
in small villages so many people cannot get away very quickly.
of these eruptions is so great, and the lahars they create are so destructive, they have
the ability to destroy entire communities. Homes are almost always leveled by the mud
and if not, they are covered in ash. In Guatemala, transportation is not easily accessible
in small villages so many people cannot get away very quickly.
After learning about volcanoes in Guatemala I have realized how truly important it is to
build communities in places that are not affected by these hazards. Although they may
only erupt once every ten years or more, many lives can be lost.
build communities in places that are not affected by these hazards. Although they may
only erupt once every ten years or more, many lives can be lost.
Sources:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Guatemala/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x858813
5036e7506b:0x35982b375b84d5bb?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwipweXq-szdAhUywFkKHedx
ATwQ8gEwAHoECAMQAQ
5036e7506b:0x35982b375b84d5bb?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwipweXq-szdAhUywFkKHedx
ATwQ8gEwAHoECAMQAQ
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