Despite
the seesaw changes in the last autumn (nothing in
things volcanic journeys should succeed ) Marc and I
decided to take a short trip from the 12.30.08-1.7.09
to Guatemala. The reports announced an active behavior
of all volcanos in the area. But due to our short time
budged we decided to observe the Santa Maria volcano
which seemed to be most aesthetic one at this time.
Tents turned out to be a good protection against the
frosty and windy nights
Therefore we positioned ourselves in Quetzaltenango
and spent the new years eve unfortunately in a modest
nebula weather at the Mirador on the flank of the Sta.
Maria.
Beside a few insignificant eruptions only one larger
eruption occurred in the dawn. On the first of
January this activities conveyed some strong ash
clouds with much Lapili and also some pyroclastic
flows at the South side . We spent the following days
below the Santa Maria summit in our tents, and
unfortunately the eruptive activity weakened itself at
the next days. (During the ascent strong ashrain
prevailed!)
Only in the night some more remarkable eruptions could
be observed, even with flash lightning formations.
Further, I could observe blue sulfur burning for the
first time during the eruptions at the Sante Maria de
Aguito. Unfortunately the moon was located in the
first quarter, so that the natural moon light was very
unfavorable. To illustrate these night eruptions was
very difficult.
Neither in published pictures nor during my visits of
the last years comparable photos was to be seen. The
different gases produced an almost surreal
multicolored eruption basis. This colors appears
particularly in the photos, whereas the free eye is
usually too less sensitive for the quite large
distance of may 2km.
After a recovery in the city life of Quetzaltenango
and Antigua the home journey took place.
in
deutsch
Guatemala 12.30.08 - 07.01.09
