Volcán de Agua
Volcán de Agua
The Volcán de Agua (Eng. "Water Volcano " ) is an inactive since the mid 16th century stratovolcano near the city of Antigua Guatemala. Its height is 3760 m. The volcanic cone is forested symmetrical and strong. It is located opposite the twin volcanoes Fuego and Acatenango. The volcanic complex is formed by basaltic andesitic - deposits. Six small side craters are located on the northwest flank, two more on the south flank. The symmetric profile of the volcano indicates a relatively young age, which so far no outbreaks were dated, respectively, are known.
The name goes back to a storm in the 16th century. Here, the crater of the volcano filled with water and ultimately shattered on September 11, 1541 the increasing pressure. The lahar ( mud and Avalanche ) ruined the first Guatemalan capital (Ciudad Vieja ), which had been founded by the Spanish conquerors. This disaster resulted in the sequence establishing the new capital of Antigua.