Volcán Santa María erupted on October 25th, 1902.  It was the only time in recorded history that the volcano has erupted.  It was a powerful eruption, a plinian eruption.  The eruption lasted 19 days and is said to be the 2nd largest volcanic eruption this century.

In 1922 a small lava dome, later named Santiaguito, began growing on the north flank of Volcán Santa María.  Santiaguito has been continuously active since then.  While we were there on July 31st, 1998, the explosion crater shot out some steam and rumbled the ground.