Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire erupts, spewing ash and spurring evacuations
Associated PressJUN 6
The swift evacuation response demonstrates that Guatemala has improved its disaster preparedness following the tragic 2018 eruption that killed over 200 people. Authorities are acting decisively to move residents to safety before conditions worsen. The coordinated effort between national and local officials shows lessons learned from past volcanic disasters have strengthened emergency protocols.
Historical patterns show that volcanic eruptions in Guatemala disproportionately affect poor, Indigenous communities who lack the resources to relocate permanently from dangerous areas. The recurring evacuations highlight how poverty and inequality make rural populations particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. Colonial legacies and centuries of marginalization continue to exacerbate these volcanic tragedies.
There's a 14% chance that there will be a tsunami that kills at least 50,000 people before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.