Investigating volcanic lineaments in Guatemala with a focus on Lake Atitlan

The Central American Volcanic Arc (CAVA) is one of the most volcanically active regions in the world particularly towards the southern end where the Caribbean, North American and Cocos plate meet together in Guatemala. This has resulted in an unusual lineament of volcanoes getting younger and more mafic as you travel towards the arc.

Lake Atitlan which is located in Western Guatemala is the clearest example of these lineaments with three large silicic eruptions occurring at the lake as well as multiple stratovolcano growth on the southern caldera wall. This pattern is seen on the neighbouring calderas Xela and Amatitlan.