Seen in profile at sunset, this photo illustrates the classical symmetrical cone that defines the 'ideal' volcano. Such cones result from the interplay of eruption and erosional processes, and rely on eruption of small lavas and tephra from a single summit crater and rapid radial transport of talus to maintain their radial symmetry. Agua is 3752 m high, with a summit crater 200 m in diameter. Its symmetrical profile is echoed by the two volcanoes in the background, Fuego (left; 3700 m) and Acatenango (right; 3960 m). (Section 16.2).

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