World Map › Major Eruptions › Santa María 1978
Historic Eruption
1978 Eruption of Santa María
2 September 1978 · Stratovolcano · Guatemala
On 2 September 1978, Santa María in Guatemala erupted. The volcano rises to 3,745 m. Its Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 3 out of 8, that of a severe eruption ejecting more than 10 million m³ of material. It killed at least 1 person. Most deaths were caused by lahars (volcanic mudflows).
- Date
- 2 September 1978
- Volcano
- Santa María
- Volcano Type
- Stratovolcano
- Elevation
- 3,745 m
- Country
- Guatemala
- Explosivity Index (VEI)
- 3 out of 8
- Deaths
- 1
- Main Causes of Death
- Lahars
Other Significant Eruptions of Santa María
- 1990July 1990 Eruption · VEI 3 · Ash and Tephra4 deaths
- 1929November 1929 Eruption · VEI 3 · Pyroclastic Flows, Lahars200 deaths
- 1902October 1902 Eruption · VEI 6 · Ash and Tephra, Volcanic Gases10,000 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database (doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH) · Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program