MEXICO CITY, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Guatemala remained on alert Tuesday as Fuego volcano, one of Central America's most active, continued an intense eruptive phase marked by pyroclastic density currents, the country's volcanology institute said.
The National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH) said pyroclastic currents began descending the Las Lajas and Honda ravines on the volcano's southeastern flank at 1:15 a.m. local time.
The currents added to others already moving through the Seca, Taniluya and Ceniza ravines on the southwestern and southern flanks of the volcano.
INSIVUMEH said the activity marked a paroxysmal phase of the eruption, characterized by a sustained increase in volcanic energy, heavy emissions of gas, ash and lava fragments, as well as strong seismic and acoustic signals.
The institute said the pyroclastic currents had traveled between five and seven kilometers toward the base of the volcano, posing the main threat to nearby communities. It warned that more currents could descend through any of the ravines and potentially travel farther than those observed so far.
Guatemala's National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction has issued a nationwide orange alert and implemented preventive measures in communities and municipalities near the volcano. ■
