---
title: "Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire"
description: "An unlikely image captures the moment Guatemala's Volcán de Fuego—otherwise known as the Volcano of Fire—erupted earlier this year. Photographer Diego Rizzo was standing above the active volcano, which is known for its near-constant small-scale outbursts, when molten lava started to seep out of de Fuego. The subsequent pillar of smoke stands in contrast to the blue-tinged night sky,..."
date: "2015-08-14"
modified: "2016-11-30"
authors:
  - name: "Jaime Trosper"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jaimefqtq"
url: "https://futurism.com/apotd-volcano-of-fire"
categories:
  - "From Quarks to Quasars"
---

# Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Fuego-Volcano.jpg>)

[![Fuego Volcano](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Fuego-Volcano-1.jpg>)](<http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Fuego-Volcano.jpg>)

An unlikely image captures the moment Guatemala's [Volcán de Fuego](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volc%C3%A1n_de_Fuego>)—otherwise known as the *Volcano of Fire*—erupted earlier this year. Photographer Diego Rizzo was standing above the active volcano, which is known for its near-constant small-scale outbursts, when molten lava started to seep out of de Fuego. The subsequent pillar of smoke stands in contrast to the blue-tinged night sky, and the bright city lights from the town below.

White pinpoints of light also pepper the sky, serene compared to the geological and human activity also featured in this image.

The volcano—located around 10 miles *(16 kilometers)* west of Antigua—has experienced two major eruptions in the last few years. The first took place [on May 19, 2012](<http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19594481>), which ultimately spat a plume of ash 16,000 feet *(5 kilometers)* high. The [second happened](<http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-31231744>) on February 8, 2015—an eruption that triggered forest fires, and lava flows that extended more than 1.2 miles *(2,000 meters)*.

## WATCH: "Fuego's Fury"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2HqL-8reKc

See more of Rizzo's work [here](<https://www.facebook.com/DiegoRizzoPhoto>) *(See a larger image [here](<http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1503/FuegoVolcano_Rizzo_960.jpg>))*.

## Author
Jaime is a freelance writer, who finds great joy in sharing the wonders of universe with others. She used this passion to launch "From Quarks to Quasars" in 2012.