2014–15 eruption of Fogo


The 2014–15 eruption of Fogo began on 23 November 2014, continuing until 8 February 2015. It was the first eruption of Pico do Fogo in 19 years, and the longest since its 1857 eruption. It had a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 3, making it the largest eruption of the volcano since records began.

Volcanic activity

The volcano started erupting shortly after 10 a.m. on Sunday, 23 November 2014. There had been a few days of heightened seismic activity, with stronger tremors occurring the night before the eruption started. The eruption began at Pico Pequeno and at another location near the crater made by the 1995 eruption. The population of Chã das Caldeiras, totaling around 1,000 inhabitants, spent the night outside their homes due to the strong earthquakes, and started being evacuated when the eruption began. As in 1995, some people initially refused to abandon their homes, but eventually heeded the authorities' instructions.
On November 27, a lava flow moved northward toward the village center. During the first days of eruption, a 3.5 km stretch of the southern basalt paved road that connected São Filipe was covered with lava. On December 1, the lava flow rate was 15 meters an hour and it had engulfed 400 ha of land, destroyed 18 houses and was nearing the village center. A day later, lava entered into Portela where 50 houses were destroyed along with a school and a hotel. By December 7, much of Portela was ruined and 70% of Bangaeira had been damaged. On December 9, lava reached more areas inside the Bordeira and Bangaeira and by December 12 it affected almost all of Bangaeira.