Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala is an active stratovolcano, renowned for its near-constant activity at a low level. The name, which translates to ‘Volcano of Fire’ in Spanish, aptly describes its fiery nature. While it regularly emits gases, recent years have seen powerful eruptions leading to mass evacuations and threatening nearby villages. A recent video shared online captures the spectacle of the volcano spewing lava while being struck by bolts of electricity. Spectators watch in awe as these two formidable natural forces clash amidst a storm.
This striking display is a result of a lightning storm around the volcano, caused by ash particles colliding within the plume, generating massive static electricity known as a dirty thunderstorm. Unlike typical thunderstorms, volcanic lightning can occur even without ice crystals in the ash cloud. As the video circulates on social media, individuals express their awe and fear. Chisom recalls witnessing a similar event last year, describing it as both terrifying and wondrous. Meanwhile, M. Nouman simply labels it a frightening scene.
Volcán de Fuego, a stratovolcano characterized by its steep, conical shape, looms over Guatemala City, visible from 44km (27 miles) away. Situated in the Ring of Fire—a belt of volcanoes, seismic activity, and tectonic plates encircling the Pacific—Fuego has erupted in recent years, forcing numerous evacuations due to ash and pyroclastic flows. While volcanic lightning is a rare phenomenon, it occurs globally, with electrical storms documented in various regions including Alaska, Iceland, Italy, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. Historical records trace back to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, with more recent observations recorded at the Vesuvius Observatory during eruptions in the late 19th century. As nature’s spectacle unfolds, the electrifying display of Volcán de Fuego serves as a reminder of the Earth’s powerful and unpredictable forces.
