The tenth eruption of the volcano has led to evacuations
Residents have been evacuated from their homes after glowing avalanches of lava began tumbling down the sides of the huge Fuego Volcano yesterday.
A 3.4mile-high (5.5km) toxic ash cloud also belched into the air above the volcano, which lies just 30 miles from Guatemala City in Guatemala, Central America.
The Fuego Volcano, which translated means ‘Volcano of Fire’, is one of the most active in Central America.
Disaster experts reported tremors, falling rocks and noises coming from the magma mountain that resembled a "locomotive”.
Volcano Discovery reported: "The tenth paroxysmal eruption in 2016 is in progress at the volcano.
People have worn dust masks for weeks due to high levels of toxic ash around the peak
"Explosions have become stronger and more frequent.
"As the magma output rate increased strongly, the explosions have turned into pulsating lava fountains and a lava flow began to travel down the Las Lajas ravine on the south-eastern flank, currently reaching about 1.2 to 1.5kms in length.
"The FG3 seismic station records strong tremor and rockfall signals.
"An ash plume is rising to approximately 5,000 metres elevation and drifting south west and west, where ash fall is occurring in areas such as the volcano observatory in Panimache, Morelia, and El Porvenir villages.
Guatemala: Fuego volcano spits lava and ash into the night sky
A major risk is posed by the possible and likely occurrence of pyroclastic flows, especially towards the south east, from collapsing material of the rapidly accumulating lava flow and ejecta on the upper slopes of the volcano.
"A major risk is posed by the possible and likely occurrence of pyroclastic flows, especially towards the south east, from collapsing material of the rapidly accumulating lava flow and ejecta on the upper slopes of the volcano."
Guatemala’s National Institute for Seismology and Vulcanology are reporting that an ash column reaching 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) above sea level has emerged, while “moderate” lava flow is pouring out of the mountain.
A statement from the government agency said: "This pyroclastic flow was accompanied by moderate rumble of the volcano and fallen ash is reported in the villages of El Rodeo, La Rochelle, Osuna, Panimache, Morelia, Sangre de Cristo and Yepocapa.”
People are also warned to keep away from a canyon near the volcano.
At least one school has been evacuated in the Alotenango area.
There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala.
Last week, experts also reported explosions at the Santiaguito volcano in Quetzaltenango.
Photos of golfers at the La Reunion Golf Resort six miles from Fuego have emerged showing players in the path of oncoming ash clouds.
At the time, disaster officials placed the area under an orange warning of danger that they may have to evacuate if things worsen.
Scientists said the world was in a volcano season from last November to April this year in the northern hemisphere when ice, rain and snowfall can compress the bedrock.
Research said the world should expect a major catastrophic volcanic eruption in the next 50 to 80 years, but we are woefully unprepared for the fallout.