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Dec 23, 2024: Two Pyroclastic Flows Caught on Camera at Santa Maria Volcano (Santiaguito), Guatemala
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- Published on Mar 10, 2026
- Welcome to our 24/7 live stream of the powerful Santiaguito / Santa María Volcano, one of Guatemala's most active and fascinating volcanic complexes! Experience the raw power and stunning beauty of nature in breathtaking 4K resolution.
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Where is this camera?
The wonderful family at Finca La Soledad are graciously hosting our camera at their resort. You can experience this same view in person by staying at one of their beautiful cabins and wake up to the sights and sounds of the majestic Santa Maria Volcano! Here’s their website: / fincalasoledadgt . The camera is about 8km away from Santa Maria / Santiaguito. Sometimes you'll be able to hear the eruptions. Due to the speed of sound, it'll take about 26 seconds after you see an explosion before you hear it.
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About Santiaguito / Santa María Volcano
🌋 Location: Western Guatemala, near the city of Quetzaltenango
🌋 Elevation: Santa María - 3,772 meters (12,375 feet); Santiaguito dome complex - about 2,500 meters (8,200 feet)
🌋 Type: Stratovolcano with an active lava dome complex
🌋 Activity: Frequent and continuous dome-building eruptions
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Fascinating Facts about Santiaguito / Santa María Volcano:
Historical Eruption: The catastrophic eruption of Santa María in 1902 was one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century, forming the Santiaguito lava dome complex.
Active Domes: The Santiaguito complex consists of several active lava domes that are continuously growing and collapsing.
Volcanic Hazards: The volcano poses various hazards, including pyroclastic flows, lava flows, ash emissions, and lahars.
Research Interest: Santiaguito is a major site of interest for volcanologists studying dome-building processes and volcanic hazards.
Lush Ecosystem: The region around the volcano is rich in biodiversity, with fertile lands supporting agriculture and diverse wildlife.
What You'll See on This Live Stream:
Eruptions: Watch live eruptions with ash plumes, pyroclastic flows, and lava dome collapses.
Landscape: Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and the majestic peaks of the volcano.
Nighttime Spectacle: Witness the mesmerizing glow of the lava domes at night, a sight not to be missed.
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Get ready for an unforgettable experience as you watch Santiaguito / Santa María Volcano live in 4K Ultra HD. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the awe-inspiring power of nature!
Weird camera shake? DIS (Digital image stabilization) software built into the camera firmware. All AfarTV video footage is real. This footage was captured on our webcam at Santa Maria that runs 24/7.
@afartv That was a earthquake
@afartv I thought it was shaking because of an earthquake from the volcano 🌋
@andie666 I think so as well. At 2:57, you can see the trees in the distance start shaking then a few seconds later, the camera shakes as well.
That looked bizarre. The mountain and foreground appeared to shake independent of the sky and clouds behind. Was that an earthquake?
Make sure that you don't have RUclips image stabilization (or whatever they call it) on when you upload. It makes all sorts of weird things like this happen. Only way to fix it that I know of is to make sure the setting is off and re-upload.
I lived in Antigua, Guatemala for about 18 months when I was younger. I had the time of my life. Some days I would sit at my favorite hostel/bar with a beer on a hammock and look at the horizon with 3 volcanos during a sunset without a care in the world.
Life is an adventure!
I’ll drink to that! Cheers!!
Our favorite bar was Sneaky Peet’s Sports Bar and Grill in Antigua! From 2006-2016! Antigua Air Station USA!
@snowkracker wow! beautiful i am from Guatemala.
I know this real but you can't tell me that sky doesn't look like the opening scene of the simpons.. it looks cgi
😂
@DavidJohnson-pv7sl I went to Disneyland back in like 2011 or 2012 and when we walking into Toon Town the sky was so crystal clear blue, combined with the cartoonish look of the props and scenery it literally made me a little woozy and dizzy for a moment because I felt like I was walking into a cartoon like the Simpsons
Now that I've seen it I cant unsee it lmao
I was sat here thinking the same
Most likely the camera has some weird HDR effect applied. If you talk about the cloud formation I can tell you it's real I have seen that irl
Gorgeous and terrifyingly beautiful when you understand that this is analogous to what someone in Pompeii might have witnessed.
Even on this small scale, the flows take less than a minute to race down the sides of the mountain.
Indeed....and it asphyxiates and incinerates everything in its path. Beautiful to watch....from a distance.
@respectbossmon is why eruptions 🌋 volcano of this kind along with lava flows are considered the most dangerous
Absolutely amazing footage!
aloha from the the Big Island of Hawaii where Kilauea is also erupting ... WOW!!! great footage!! mahalo / tfs
I'm in Puna, and its's already stopped. I hadn't heard, so thanx for the heads up, Aloha!
The second video really shows how fast the pyroclastic flow goes down the mountain. Wow!
@PeteHemdem this one does too, i thought it was slo-mo til the lava started running down the side, easily 50-60 mph
Wow, it looks like a painting almost. Surreal beauty with the sounds of the jungle, the blue partially clouded sky and that barren moonscape of the volcano in between. 😮❤
It looked like a painting or slow motion. Then the bird flew past! Lol
It looks like AI generated
@jrstudioboss No it doesn't, you're clueless.
Ai has laid some hands on this.
Thanks for sharing, insane speed on the second one.
What perfect framing, flow, clouds... unreal!
Just amazing! Thanks for sharing this!
Is it me or at the 0:49 through 1:10, does the foreground shake against the background?
Noticed that too.
Definite shaking.
Absolutely shivering.
Air compression from the explosion.
Earthquakes
@AfarTV -- That is a perfectly framed shot of a Strombolian eruption with pyroclastic flow, maybe the best I've ever seen.
For the birds in the jungle it's just another day on the ring of fire. 🇺🇲🧙🏼♂️
It's a calzonian eruption
Eh ? Strombolian ?? Stromboli is in Italy , which is not in the Ring of Fire , and we have no jungles there . 🙄
@NotChefCook --OK, friend. Please allow me to explain. Geologists classify volcanos into types based on the characteristics of well-known volcani ( that's not a word; I just made it up because it sounded cute, and I'm in a funny mood today.)
Stromboli is indeed one of the planet's well-known active volcanos, but it's behavior describes a consistent behavior that is known to geologists and they've used it to classify others, Stromboli is in the island arc called the Aeolian Islands, which are just north of Sicily.
Lipari is the largest of Aeolian islands, and a tourist destination for many. Another island is named: V. However, it's not one of the classifications. Too confusing, I imagine.
The Aeolian Islands have a rich history and are important to Greek Mythology. I have a degree in literature and mythology. It got me a job in medicine which led to a career in engineering. Life has a few interesting curves in store for those willing to stand up and take a few swings at the plate.
The study of volcanoes is ongoing. These events, sometimes tragic, and always awesome, are caused by two processes -- hotspots or mantle plumes, and plate tectonics.
Plate tectonics were only considered a valid hypothesis in the 1960's. Mantle plumes are controversial, and considered as a valid hypothesis in the oceanic crust, but what abount Yellowstone? It rides the North American plate. No oceanic crust there.
Anyway, I'm getting into the weeds here, My point is that our science of Volcanism is relatively new, and although we get better with the interpretation of seismic waves traveling through our multilayered planet, I.e. the reflection and refraction of multiple kinds of impulse waves travelling through the earth, we still have much to learn about our home, this big rock orbiting a ball of fire.
I'll direct you to a couple of good educational sources since you sound interested in the subject, and already have an understanding of some basic ideas. Indeed, the Ring of Fire surrounds the Pacific.
I'm an American and therefore have a bias toward our sources, however the Iceland Met department has an impressive collection of scientific study on volcanoes. Some of them are in English! I won't use that here as it is not always English friendly.
But I tend to use the (US Geological Survey) USGS website and here's a link on volcanic classifications. This is a textbook that will help you fill in those few gaps in your volcanic knowlege, hopefully, without my being offensive.
pubs.usgs.gov/gip/volc/eruptions.html
One step up gives you the Table of Contents, which is where I begin to look: pubs.usgs.gov/gip/volc/
This text book was published almost 30 years ago (and it looks it), however the information it contains is still relevant.
Still, allow me to point you to more recent information
this link will overwhelm: www.usgs.gov/
However, here's a "hack" as they say. When you want any information about something geological, there's an old-style search link still there. For instance, want to learn about volcanoes?
www.usgs.gov/search?keywords=volcanoes
Good luck and best wishes: 🇺🇸🧙🏽♂️💙
@NotChefCookread his post again
Gorgeous bird sound.
That view is perfectly framed. Stunning contrast between the jungle foreground, the bare rock of the volcano and the intense blue of the sky. It's a treat for the eye.
Oh, and the pyroclastic flows were the cherry on the icing on top. :)
I can almost smell the sulphur from here in Oz. :)
Qué increíble se ve. Y qué agradable es el canto de las aves al fondo. ❤
excellent view of the pyroclastic flows
What a beautiful thing to see
This was beautiful footage.
I’ll be there in 14 days!!
Precioso y temeroso!!🙏cuidado
Beautiful colors on that volcano!
🚨🌋🚨please Good to see
Wow exciting and scary at the same time.
Thank you for great footage and associating it with a date. Many never bother. Events such as this on RUclips should always include a date. Bravo!
@mylesrussell8524 there is a date snd time it's on the top left but it's hard to see as it's in white so blends into the sky
Awesome footage! Thank you!!!
Omg! Thank you!
Amazing representation of pyroclastic flow! Especially the second one
Thanks for showing this!
With the clouds and volcano looking the way they do in this video. I fully expected Rodan to come busting out of that volcano like in a 60s or 70s movie.
Amazing video! Thank you
What a beautiful scene. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful? DEADLY!
@ElizabethMoon-n8m So... it can't be beautiful??? I find it beautiful and fascinating. ANyway these eruptions didn't look like they caused any casualties or damage so feel free to appreciate the beauty of nature as well.
Stunning
The Siiiimpsooooonnns
Der da da Der da da da dilla da.....
So calm and peaceful
Amazing video quality… breathtaking and frightful at the same time…
It looks like a painting!
Great footage! Thanks for sharing! :)
Fantastic video! Thank you 😊
Wow thats a spectacular sight
Wow! Awesome!! Nature! 😮
3 minutes in till the shock wave hits WOW
I would love to stay there
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Very wildly cool stuff!
Awesome video!
👁️🔥👁️
Thanks!
Wow. I never saw a pyroclastic flow turning into such a vivid, rusty orange.
Have never seen anything like that before! 😀
Wow que belleza de naturaleza
Truly ♥️
Beautiful, though a bit terrifying. Thank you for posting!
As the people of Pompeii sit and watch, “oh, how cool”!
Great vids
Nice, an eruption without a bunching of people hollering.
Nature is just so beautiful, i think we need reminders like this. We forget that the Earth which so many of us abuse and take for granted will be here long after we're dead and gone
Beautiful
Wow,,
Merry xmas mother nature!
Beautiful 🙏🏾
thhhhhhhhhhe simmpsoooooooooonsssssssss.............................................clouds
Hawaii and Iceland are also in a very high activity lately.
The way it flowed down the mountain looked like minecraft
Impressive .. one minute to go all the way down the volcano..200 km/h easily
Thought it was a Tame Impala remix thumbnail😂
@Martin Volcano will love this; after all it is like watching lava waves 🎉
Aqesome
😮😮😮😮😮 MERRY CHRISTMAS
😮
Surprised not hearing anything from the volcano. Very eery to watch with just jungle sounds.
Incredible, nature's raw power and beautiful landscape. It looks like something one would expect to see in a movie or even something from the time of the dinosaurs. Just Incredible. I'm a new subscriber. 🌋🦖🦕🧔
Welcome I hope you enjoy all out different streams
I am looking AT the clous pattern....
And the limite between the mou t'ai s a d the sky....
Looks à bit un natural.
I think I'm hearing Orpendolas.
We lived in Clark AFB Angeles City Philippines for about 10 months until Mt Pinatubo erupted and chased us off the islands for about 20 years but we’re back in country now!
That looks like animation
🎉
Stay safe, Santa Maria
Guatemala
Dnt take selfie near volcano
Makes sure
Safety first
The govern has warrant and warnings area
Please hold
Standard evacuation
Why are we able to hear birds and a stream, but not the explosion that would have happened before the ash cloud and flows?
The shaking that begins at about 2:57 moves the mountain in relation to the Distant Clouds...Kinda suggests the entire landscape was displaced laterally to our line of sight by some event, maybe the dislodging of a plug. Interesting that the Second event doesn't seem to be accompanied by that same magnitude of shaking, but releases substantially greater clouds of ash. Otherwise, it might be that whatever structure holds the camera is amplifying the ground shaking... for instance, if the camera is mounted on a tall pole or flexible tower.
About how fast is the flow coming down the mountain side?
Looks like it belongs in Legend of Zelda. You got a ways to go brotha.
Absolutely incredible, nature doing what it does. Serene, Peaceful, and Beautiful to me, but yea, don't get close to that please
Something's weird at 1:10 with the relative movement of the volcano and the clouds of the back ground sky. Looks like a manipulation: The volcano and the pyroclastic flow and the foreground seem to vibrate while the background clouds are immobile. Was the sky with white clouds somehow edited in?
Or is this just some artifact of the video compression and de-compression algorithms?
This is live from a 4k cam, no manipulation or editing
volcanic eruptions and movement of lava are often accompanied by trermors, I would guess that a tremor shook the camera.
Its a shaking camera due to a little earthquake.
@lucymiau5700 If it was just camera shake then everything would be offset together. But the land masses moved while the clouds in the sky were stationary, which is odd.
🌋 volcanoes shake when they erupt. They are also known to trigger earthquakes from the eruption. 😮
This is the scene that inspired the opener for The Simpsons.
The clouds look just like the intro on the Simpsons.
5:00 Those boulders must be the size of houses. Big McMansion types, too, not snug little bungalows.
Ese no es el Santa María, es el Santiaguito que está prácticamente al pié del Santa María, pero son totalmente aparte
Why are the clouds not moving??
Very surreal looking. Those clouds look like they came out of a Simpsons show. 😄
The second one appeared to be boulders and rocks tumbling down the volcano kicking up dust clouds and not a pyroclastic flow like the first one.
Great images!!!!! Hey, that lava produces a lot of ‘smoke’. I’m not convinced the first flow was pyroclastic, rather snake off the lava flow. The second ones though, definitely are! Sooo fast. Merry Christmas. M
None of the birds you can hear would be in any danger. The camera is set up quite a far distance from the Volcano, you can see there is very little wind by the fact that the dust from the pyroclastic flow just hangs in the air. The camera shake was the shock wave from the initial eruption reaching the camera location.
How fast are the flows moving?
The flows start way sooner than I expected. Guess I misinterpreted them, thought the ash plume had to get taller partway cool and fall, creating a venturi type effect.
When I was living in Guatemala, I climbed up that volcano and watched a different volcano erupting below me. It was an incredible experience. Guatemala is an amazing country. It's also a tad dangerous. Stay away from the cities. Check out Antigua! Also Check out San Pedro on Lake Atitlan. It's an awesome place to party. They have everything you could want and a few things you might not.
Actually there are three!
Watching Christmas eve the most awesome thing I've seen this year .
Mother EARTH 🌎 is bleeding and this is stunning to see
After Alot of World Weather at the end of the year.
That sky looks exactly like the Simpsons intro
Why did we not hear the explosion? How far is the camera from the mountain?
Not all eruptions create huge pressure waves of sounds…. Closer to the volcano would create massive sounds (and likely produce damage and/or loss of equipment). 5km distance may be a reasonable distance - stratovolcanoes can level forests and structures for much longer distances…
Dude, it's in the description.
@jemez_mtn I know but it says it only takes 26 seconds to hear it and I didn't hear anything but birds and the stream?
I stated something similar ever after reading the description lol.
I hope that everyone is safe and well. The vast majority of the world has no idea just how life changing an event like this can be. Even if the locals have evacuated in time, the entire normality of every day living is in the very least turned upside down. Some people will lose EVERYTHING that they own. Livelihoods ruined, livestock liar etc. They are probably the fortunate ones. Others will lose their lives, family members, neighbours, friends and so on. Many will sustain life changing injuries that will affect the rest of their lives.
I am certain that every single one of these poor souls will suffer some level of PTSD as a result of the volcanic eruption. So please say a prayer for the people caught up in this disaster. I hope that they receive the help and support that is needed...