About Moyuta
Moyuta is a stratovolcano rising to 1,662 meters (5,453 feet) in Guatemala's Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Moyuta is located in Guatemala, within the Central America Volcanic Arc of the broader Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 14.03° N, 90.10° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,662 meters above sea level, Moyuta is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Moyuta sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in Guatemala near Moyuta, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is andesite / basaltic andesite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
GVP Reference Summary
Moyuta is the easternmost of a chain of large stratovolcanoes extending along the volcanic front of Guatemala. Like Tecuamburro volcano, it is offset about 20 km S of the main volcanic chain and lies south of the Jalpatagua Fault, overlying the southern boundary of the Jalpatagua Graben. The volcano is capped by a cluster of at least three forested, steep-sided, coalescing andesitic lava domes that from some distant perspectives give the summit a flat-topped appearance. Numerous cinder cones in various stages of erosion are located on the flanks of the complex. The age of the latest eruption is not known, although the summit domes were considered to have been emplaced in relatively recent times (Williams et al., 1964). Small fumaroles are found on the N and S flanks, and hot springs are located near Azulco at the NE base and along rivers on the SE side.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Moyuta.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Moyuta
Is Moyuta an active volcano?+
Moyuta is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Moyuta?+
Moyuta has a summit elevation of 1,662 meters (5,453 feet) above sea level. At 1,662 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Moyuta?+
Moyuta is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Moyuta located?+
Moyuta is located in Guatemala, in the Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central America Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 14.030° latitude, -90.100° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Moyuta?+
Moyuta can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Guatemala may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
