About Tahual
Tahual is a stratovolcano rising to 1,716 meters (5,630 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
Tahual is located in Guatemala, within the Central America Volcanic Arc of the broader Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 14.43° N, 89.90° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,716 meters above sea level, Tahual 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
Tahual 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 Tahual, 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
Deeply dissected Volcán Tahual rises ~700 m above plains S of the town of Monjas. The summit of the forested stratovolcano is cut by a broad erosional crater that extends to the base of the volcano and is narrowly breached to the NE. A Holocene pyroclastic cone near the NE base fed a short basaltic lava flow (Williams et al., 1964). The scenic lake-filled Laguna de Hoyo lies to the N. This steep-walled crater and the NE-flank cinder cone lie along faults bordering a graben that extends across the eastern base of the volcano to neighboring Retana caldera on the SE.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Tahual.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Tahual
Is Tahual an active volcano?+
Tahual 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 Tahual?+
Tahual has a summit elevation of 1,716 meters (5,630 feet) above sea level. At 1,716 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Tahual?+
Tahual 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 Tahual located?+
Tahual 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 14.430° latitude, -89.900° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Tahual?+
Tahual 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.
