Atitlán Volcano
Updated: Apr 5, 2025 18:48 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Guatemala, 14.58°N / -91.19°W 
Summit height: 3535 m / 11,598 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
[smaller] [larger]
Atitlán volcano eruptions: 1853
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 07:44 am (Guatemala) | 3.2 161 km | 27 km (17 mi) to the NW | 17 km west of Solola, Solola, Guatemala I FELT IT | Info | |
| Monday, March 24, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Mar 24, 06:42 pm (Universal Time) | 3.4 112 km | 28 km (17 mi) to the S | 37 km Al Oeste De Escuintla, Guatemala | Info | |
Background
Volcán Atitlán is one of several prominent conical stratovolcanoes in the Guatemalan highlands. Along with its twin volcano Tolimán to the north, it forms a dramatic backdrop to Lake Atitlán, one of the scenic highlights of the country. The 3535-m-high summit of Atitlán directly overlies the inferred margin of the Pleistocene Atitlán III caldera and is the highest of three large post-caldera stratovolcanoes constructed near the southern caldera rim. The volcano consequently post-dates the eruption of the voluminous, roughly 85,000-year-old rhyolitic Los Chocoyos tephra associated with formation of the Atitlán III caldera. The historically active andesitic Volcán Atitlán is younger than Tolimán, although their earlier activity overlapped. In contrast to Tolimán, Atitlán displays a thick pyroclastic cover. The northern side of the volcano is wooded to near the summit, whereas the upper 1000 m of the southern slopes are unvegetated. Predominantly explosive eruptions have been recorded from Volcán Atitlán since the 15th century.---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Atitlán Volcano Photos
Atitlán, Toliman, and San Pedro volcanoes (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Early morning at the shore of Lake Atitlán with Atitlán, Toliman and San Pedro volcanoes in the background (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Sunrise over Lake Atitlán with Atitlán and Toliman volcanoes in the background (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Atitlán and Toliman volcanoes seen from the shore of the Atitlán Lake (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Atitlán volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Atitlán has had at least 13 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 11 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Atitlán volcano.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Atitlán volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Atitlán volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Atitlán can be found on the news page of Atitlán volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2 | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Volcano Uncertain | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
| ? | |||||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Atitlán Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Atitlán volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Atitlán occurred in 1853.
+How often does Atitlán volcano erupt?
Since 1469 AD, Atitlán volcano has had at least 11 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 51 years.
+When was the largest eruption of Atitlán volcano?
The largest eruption of Atitlán volcano in historic times occurred in 1853. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
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Atitlán Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Atitlán volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Atitlán volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Atitlán volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Atitlán volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Atitlán volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Atitlán volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Atitlán volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Atitlán volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Atitlán volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Atitlán volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Atitlán volcano (scale of few kilometers)
