About Flores
Flores is a volcanic field rising to 1,600 meters (5,250 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
Flores is located in Guatemala, within the Central America Volcanic Arc of the broader Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 14.31° N, 89.99° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level, Flores is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Flores 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 Flores, 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 basalt / picro-basalt, 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
Volcán de Flores is one of the largest of a cluster of small stratovolcanoes located in SE Guatemala behind the volcanic front. Also known as Volcán Amayo, it lies ~10 km W of the city of Jutiapa, at the SW end of the SE Guatemala volcanic platform. The summit rises ~600 m above a basement of Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary rocks and contains a shallow crater breached on its eastern side. Satellitic cones occur at the southern and eastern base of the dominantly basaltic volcano, and youthful lava flows occur at the NE base, near El Aguacite.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Flores.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Flores
Is Flores an active volcano?+
Flores 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 Flores?+
Flores has a summit elevation of 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) above sea level. At 1,600 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Flores?+
Flores is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Flores located?+
Flores 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 14.308° latitude, -89.992° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Flores?+
Flores 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.