Volcanic Unrest Intensifies Across Central & South America
Multiple volcanoes across Central and South America are exhibiting heightened activity, prompting alerts and ongoing monitoring.Explosive activity continues at Reventador in Ecuador, while Santiaguito, Pacaya, Fuego, and Popocatépetl are also displaying varying levels of unrest, posing potential hazards to nearby populations and aviation.
Thes escalating volcanic events underscore teh region’s location within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotspot for seismic and volcanic activity. Increased monitoring and preparedness are crucial for mitigating risks associated with ashfall, lahars (mudflows), and potential explosive eruptions, impacting air travel, agriculture, and public health.
Current Volcanic Activity Reports (as of September 6, 2025):
Reventador (Ecuador): Explosive activity persists. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington reported a volcanic ash plume reaching an estimated altitude of 14,000 ft (4,300 m) or flight level 140. The Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN) reported continued eruption between September 4 and september 5, 2025. The alert level remains at “3 – Orange” (on a 4-level scale). 73 seismically detected explosions were recorded, with plumes rising to 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) above the vent and observed incandescent rockfalls.
Sabancaya (Peru): Unrest continues at Sabancaya, according to the Centro Vulcanológico Nacional del Instituto Geofísico del Perú (CENVUL-IGP), between September 4 and September 5, 2025. the alert level is ”Yellow” (level 2 on a 4-level scale). Plumes rose to a maximum of 600 meters (1,969 feet) above the vent.
Santiaguito (Guatemala): [No current report included in source material.]
Pacaya (Guatemala): [No current report included in source material.]
Fuego (Guatemala): [No current report included in source material.]
Popocatépetl (Mexico): [No current report included in source material.]
