GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Latest Report Of Volcanic Eruptions, Activity, Unrest And Awakenings – February 6, 2016! [PHOTOS + VIDEOS]

Popocatepetl volcano.

February 3, 2016 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.


Popocatepetl (Mexico): In the last 24 hours the Popocatepetl had nine explosions and 35 exhalations of low intensity, according to the monitoring system of the volcano, reported Cenapred.

In its latest report, the body of the Ministry of the Interior explained that four of the nine explosions occurred yesterday at 15:33, 20:19, 21:22 22:48 hours and five on Tuesday.

Also said that since Tuesday morning has been a slight emission of water vapor and gas that winds have scattered to the east-northeast.

Photo: CENAPRED.

He recalled that the light of volcanic alert remains at yellow phase two level at which it is contemplated that the explosive activity continues at a low level, falling ash and even possibility of pyroclastic flows and mudflows.

So the Cenapred urged people not to approach the volcano by the danger of falling ballistic fragments and suggested the public be alert to warnings authorities disseminate Civil Protection.

WATCH: Live streaming Popocatepetl volcano.

Copahue (Chile): Ash plume from Copahue yesterday During the past weeks, the El Agrio crater has continued to emit weak, but near-continuous emissions of fine gray ash.

Incandescence remains visible at night.

Ash plume from Copahue

According to SERNAGEOMIN, this current activity, mainly phreatic, is caused by interaction of a small body of new magma interacting with the hydrothermal system at shallow depth.

Seismic activity, although above background, is relatively low as are other monitored parameters (e.g. deformation, SO2 output etc). No larger eruption is expected for the near future.


Barren Island (India):  Minor eruptive activity (possibly strombolian) seems to continue on the remote island, at least intermittently.

Steam / ash plume and thermal hot spot at Barren Island on February 1, 2016 (MODIS / VIIRS NASA imagery)

Yesterday and the day before, a weak steam and possibly ash plume was visible on satellite imagery as well as a thermal hot spot.


Turrialba (Costa Rica): Weak, passive ash venting occurred yesterday at the western pit crater, showing that volcanic unrest continues.

Ash plume from Costa Rica's Turrialba volcano yesterday

Karymsky (Kamchatka): Several ash plumes reaching estimated 13-16,000 ft (4-5 km) altitude have been reported by Tokyo VAAC during the past days, suggesting that the volcano's intermittent explosions are currently more frequent and relatively intense.


Masaya (Nicaragua): INETER reported ongoing strong seismic and surface activity.

There here are currently two small lava lakes active contained in two pits inside the Santiago crater. Access to Masaya's crater rim, a very popular tourist destination, was closed to the public on Saturday.

An earthquake of magnitude 3 on Friday, felt by many residents, probably accompanied the opening of the second vent in the NE section of the crater.

A third vent is in the process of forming in the SE section of the crater, the latest INETER report stated.



Nevados de Chillán (Central Chile): A series of new explosions with small to moderate ash emissions occurred at the volcano during the end of last week.

This activity formed a second new crater, approx. 25x30 m wide and located 50 m beneath the northeast flank of Arrau crater, as SERNAGEOMIN staff observed on an overflight on 30 January.

Aerial view of Nevados de Chillán volcano's Arrau crater on January 30, 2016 (SERNAGEOMIN)

According to Chilean scientists, the activity is caused by phreatic (steam-driven) explosions in the shallow hydrotermal disturbances, not by fresh magma.

Temperatures in the crater areas were found to be relatively low (approx 120 deg C), which supports this interpretation as well.

It is likely that more explosions occur in the near future and an exclusion zone of 2 km around the crater was put in place.


Heard (Australia, Southern Indian Ocean): An eruption was observed by crew on board the CSIRO research vessel Investigator in late January.


WATCH: A lava flow was seen descending the NW flank of Mawson Peak.

Weak thermal anomalies were also detected on satellite data at the end of January. Whether the activity is still going on or not is impossible to determine - most of the days, the volcano is hidden beneath thick clouds preventing satellite observations.

- Volcano Discovery | El Universal [Translated].

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Volcano Report For May 27, 2014 - Major Updates On Shiveluch, Etna, Bagana, Batu Tara, Sinabung, Shishaldin, Popocatépetl, Santiaguito, Pacaya, Fuego, Momotombo, San Miguel, Ubinas, And Heard! [PHOTOS+GRAPHS+MAPS]

May 27, 2014 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of  Volcano Discovery.

Shiveluch (Kamchatka): The volcano remains very active, growing its lava dome which occasionally looses some of its mass due to avalanches and explosions.

Eruption from Shiveluch this morning in Kamchatka.

A stronger eruption occurred at the volcano this morning producing an ash plume that rose to 33,000 ft (10 km) altitude and drifted to the SE.


Etna (Sicily, Italy): Weak strombolian activity continues with little variation from the New SE crater. A slightly increasing trend of tremor amplitude can be observed over the past days.

Strombolian explosion at Etna's NSEC (Radiostudio7 webcam)

Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): Explosive (likely strong strombolian-type) eruptions continue at the volcano. An ash plume to estimated 10,000 (3 km) altitude was observed extending 35 nautical miles to the west this morning (VAAC Darwin).


Batu Tara (Sunda Islands, Indonesia): A few explosions were again strong enough to produce plumes that were spotted on satellite imagery recently.


Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): Weak lava extrusion continues to add material to the viscous lava lobe, which at the same time looses some of its mass in occasional small rockfalls from its front and the sides. These sometimes result in small pyroclastic flows.


Shishaldin (United States, Aleutian Islands): Low-level eruptive activity likely continues, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, although no direct observations could be made during the past 24 hours. Seismic signals suggest occasional small explosions. The alert status remains orange.


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): No significant changes have occurred in the volcano's activity during the past weeks. Magma continues to rise, at fluctuating rates, slowly into the summit crater, producing weak intermittent explosions and glow at night.

Small ash explosion at Popocatépetl yesterday.

A small swarm of earthquakes with 6 volcano-tectonic quakes of magnitudes 2.6, 2.7, 1.8, 3.0, 2.6 and 3.0 occurred during 25-26 May.

The alert level remains unchanged at "Yellow Phase 2". (CENAPRED)


Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): A new viscous lava flow has started to slowly descend through the ravine on the eastern flank of the Caliente dome. Rock falls and strong degassing accompany this activity.


Pacaya (Guatemala): The volcano remains quiet. INSIVUMEH reports only a continuous degassing plume reaching about 50 m above the crater.


Fuego (Guatemala): Explosive activity has been weaker recently, with pulses of strombolian explosions ejecting incandescent material to up to 100 m above the crater. Effusive activity continued to feed the lava flow towards Barranca Taniluyá. This morning, it was still about 100 m long.


Momotombo (Nicaragua): A strong swarm of earthquakes occurred at shallow (1-10 km) depths beneath the southern flank of the volcano during Sunday-Monday.

Map of recent earthquakes at Momotombo volcano

The largest quake was a magnitude 4.1 event.

While the quakes could be related to magmatic intrusions, they more likely represent aftershocks from April's twin M6 earthquakes.


San Miguel (El Salvador): Seismic activity remains at elevated levels and the volcano emits strong pulsating gas and steam puffs rising to approx. 800 m. Heavy rainfalls have been causing damage due to mud flows in the areas at the feet of the volcano.

Current seismic activity at San Miguel (VSM station, MARN)

No further ash emissions were mentioned in SNET's latest report, but reported that ground observers heard noises of what could be falling ejecta from explosions at the volcano. This could not be confirmed.


Ubinas (Peru): Steam and weak ash emissions continue at the volcano, but have decreased over the past days along with weaker seismic activity.

Steam and ash plume from Ubinas today

Heard (Australia, Southern Indian Ocean): Some activity has probably resumed (or continued) at the remote volcano. The latest MODVOLC images show a significant hot spot at the summit crater.

MODIS hot spots at Heard Island (MODVOLC, Univ. Hawaii)

While the nature of the activity cannot be determined with certainty, the absence of ash on the snow-covered flanks of the volcano visible on satellite imagery, suggests that the activity is not or only weakly explosive and could consist in turn in the presence of a small lava lake.


Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for May 27, 2014.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Global Volcano Report For November 14, 2013 - Updates On Sakurajima, Etna, Klyuchevskoy, Aso, Bagana, Sinabung, Popocatépetl, Reventador, Jebel Zubair And Heard! [PHOTOS+VIDEOS]

November 14, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of  Volcano Discovery.


Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The volcano has picked up activity again.

Vulcanian explosion from Sakurajima this morning with lightning in the ash plume.

Over the past days, the Showa crater has been producing near-constant ash emissions and several vulcanian explosions with ash plumes rising up to 14,000 ft (4.2 km) altitude.


WATCH: Sakurajima volcano eruption with lightning.

Etna (Sicily, Italy): Activity at the New SE crater has decreased during the night, but probably weak strombolian explosions still occur from time to time. At the moment, weather is very bad and visible observations difficult. The tremor decreased as well, but has gained again and continues to show an overall increasing trend, similar to the days before the 10-11 Nov paroxysm.

Current tremor signal (ESLN station, INGV Catania)

Tremor amplitude (EFTI station), cut off in the morning of November 11th, when the station was covered by lava.

WATCH: Etna volcano activity on November 13 -14.

The last recorded signal from the Torre del Filosofo seismic station (ETFI), showing the tremor intensity at unprecedented levels. If the eruption size is more or less proportional to the integral of the tremor amplitude, this illustrates the size of the paroxysm:


Klyuchevskoy (Kamchatka): The volcano remains active. It produces a variable but often intense steam plume with possibly some ash.

Giant steam ring (ring vortex) rising from Klyuchevskoy this morning

On webcam images, there are sporadic small explosions visible, suggesting that weak strombolian activity continues at the summit. A large steam ring was produced this morning (see image / video) - similar to what we have observed at Etna last Monday.


WATCH: Klyuchevskoy volcano produces steam ring.

Aso (Kyushu): The Japan Meteorological Agency reported in its latest activity summary (for September 2013) a seismic crisis that started on 23 September evening. An survey of SO2 emissions 2 days later showed an increase of gas release as well, suggesting a magmatic intrusion was taking place. No eruption has taken place since then.

Japanese volcanologists immediately raised the alert level from 1 to 2, as there is a possibility of sudden explosions that could throw blocks to distances of perhaps as far as 1 km. The new alert level means that the active Nakadake 1 crater is currently closed for access.

In late September seismicity remained high, but with a declining trend. No other information was given in the report.


Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): Explosions continue. An ash plume was spotted this morning at 9,000 ft (2,7 km) altitude extending 60 nautical miles to the west.


Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): Eruptions seem to increase. Over the past days, ash explosions have occurred at rates of 1-2 per day. Ash plumes rose to 10,000-12,000 ft (3-3.6 km) altitude. At least one pyroclastic flow occurred on 11 Nov, reaching about 1 km length.

Several 1000 people have been evacuated from nearby villages at the foot of the volcano and a (dangerously small) 3 km exclusion zone around the volcano is in place.


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Activity has remained stable at low levels. CENAPRED reported 61 weak emissions of mostly steam, gas and only occasionally minor amounts of ash during the 24 hour observation interval between 12-13 Nov.


Reventador (Ecuador): The activity consisting of sporadic small to moderate explosions continues but has decreased after 2 November. On that day, a small pyroclastic flow descended on the west flank of the active cone, reaching a length of 300-400 m. Explosions produced plumes of up to about 2 km height and light ash fall occurred in San Rafael village located 8 km east of the volcano.

Explosion and small pyroclastic flow from Reventador on November 2, 2013.

The following webcam time-lapse show the activity during 2-3 Nov when the weather was unusually clear. There are small explosions and a small tornado next to the cone caused by turbulence between ambient and rising hot air.


Jebel Zubair (Red Sea): Signs of weak continuing or renewed activity could be spotted again on recent satellite data after few weeks with no evidence of activity.

MODIS / Terra satellite image on the 11th of November, showing the gas plume and discolored water plume

The attached MODIS / Terra satellite image from 11 Nov shows a gas plume drifting NE from the new island as well as a discolored water plume extending south. The discolored sea water is likely caused by dissolved volcanic gasses (H2S in particular).

The absence of steam suggests that there is no lava entering the sea and no submarine effusive activity.


Heard (Australia, Southern Indian Ocean): A thermal hot spot was visible on satellite data from 9 Nov, suggesting that some activity continues or has resumed at the remote volcano.

MODIS hot spot data (past 7 days) for Heard volcano (ModVolc, Univ. Hawaii)

Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for November 14, 2013.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Global Volcano Report For October 4, 2013 - Updates On Sakurajima, El Hierro, Bagana, Sinabung, Krakatau, Merapi, Dukono, White Island, Popocatépetl, Santiaguito, Pacaya, Fuego And Heard!

October 04, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of  Volcano Discovery.

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The volcano is in a particularly active phase. During the past 2 days, about 20 vulcanian explosions occurred, many of which produced ash plumes reaching 10-13,000 ft (3-4 km) altitude.

Explosion from Sakurajima this morning (MBC webcam, from East).

Ash plume drifting over Kagoshima city (KYT-TV webcam).

A moderately large explosion occurred this morning at 12:03 local time, possibly generating a pyroclastic flow to the SW side of the Showa crater. An ash plume rose to 13,000 ft (4 km) altitude and drifted over the southern part of Kagoshima city, where ash fall occurred.


WATCH:  A similar explosion had already occurred the night before (at 04:33 local time):

El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain): A small earthquake swarm under the center of the island, at about 12 km depth, occurred on September 30.

Map of recent quakes at El Hierro.

Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): Elevated SO2 emissions suggest that current activity is strong at the volcano.

SO2 plume from Bagana volcano (NOAA).

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): No more eruptions have occurred and the evacuated people (several 1000) were allowed to return to their homes.


Krakatau (Sunda Strait, Indonesia): Activity has been low during the past months, and it seems no eruptions have taken place since 28 or 29 of March this year. Activity currently consists of weak steaming / degassing.


Merapi (Central Java): Activity has been low during the past months. In the crater, a small but considerable area was covered by incandescent material caused by escaping hot gas, that made a "hissing" sound very notable to the ear, our friend Øystein Lund Andersen reports who climbed the volcano on September 29.

The crater of Merapi volcano (photo: Øystein).

"The area mentioned is the source of the small eruption that happened a few months back, according to a local volcano-guide." This (explosive) activity had left a small crater, maybe 20-30m deep, surrounded by blocks that had been ejected.
"Another area also emitted a glow, from the western part of the crater, as it did during my visit in May 2012".


Dukono (Halmahera): An ash plume (from an explosion) was observed this morning on satellite data, rising to about 7,000 ft (2.1 km) altitude and drifting 30 nautical miles to the NW.


White Island (New Zealand): Seismic activity has been steadily rising over the past week. This could (but not necessarily will) be a precursor for another episode of phreatic or hydrothermal explosions.

Steaming from White Island's crater

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Activity has remained low with only weak emissions at averages of 1 every 1-2 hours. Occasionally, some ash explosions still occur, with plumes up to about 1 km height. Crater glow can still be seen at night and SO2 emission is strong, two indicators that magma continues to arrive at the summit (although at reduced rate).

Crater glow from Popocatépel this morning.

Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): Activity has been essentially unchanged over the past week. Two moderate explosions were observed yesterday at 20:09 h and this morning at 05:12 (local times), with ash plumes rising almost 1 km and drifting SW. Ash falls were reported in the region of San Marcos Palajunoj.


Pacaya (Guatemala): Strombolian activity from the Mackenney crater has been gradually increasing over the past weeks, the latest report of INSIVUMEH shows. Activity is taking place from 3 vents and explosions occur at rates of one every 1-3 minutes with ejections reaching about 100 meters. The activity continues to build a new cone inside the crater which is visible from Cerro Chino.

Number of daily explosions from Pacaya as recorded by INSIVUMEH.

There are reports of ground vibrations produced by the volcano felt in the villages Calderas, San Francisco de Sales, and San Vicente Pacaya. INSIVUMEH has increased seismic monitoring using portable seismometers.


Fuego (Guatemala): Activity has been weak recently. The lava flows on the upper southern flank is still active, and was about 100 m long this morning, headed towards the Trinidad canyon. Explosions have been few and only produced ash plumes rising a few 100 meters.


Heard (Australia, Southern Indian Ocean): Another hot spot is visible on current satellite data, suggesting some sort of activity occurring at Dawson's Peak crater (perhaps a small lava lake or strombolian activity).

Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for October 4, 2013.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Global Volcano Report For September 10, 2013 - Updates On Lokon-Empung, Kliuchevskoi, Dukono, Yasur, Veniaminof, Popocatépetl, Santa María, Santiaguito, Pacaya, Fuego And Heard!

September 10, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Lokon-Empung (North Sulawesi, Indonesia):  More explosions have occurred today (at least 6 so far, at 06:12, 06:55, 07:45, 08:36, 09:51, 15:59), preceded by increased degassing and often followed by continuous ash venting lasting for up to 1-2 hours.

Explosion from Lokon this morning (image: David Pyle)

Ash plumes rose to elevations of 1-2 km and the Aviation Color code was raised to orange.


WATCH: Volcanologist David Pyle who is on location shared the attached picture on twitter and several of the explosions could be seen on the VSI webcam, as the following video shows:

Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka): The effusion of a lava flow on the SW flank and strombolian activity at the summit vent continue. Avalanches are being formed from detaching lava blocks from the flow on the steep flow. KVERT reports moderate seismic activity with strong tremor, that obscure the signal from nearby Bezymianny volcano. A large thermal anomaly can be seen on satellite data.

Small steam plume from active Klyuchevskoy volcano this morning.

No significant changes in activity was reported for any of the other currently active volcanoes in Kamchatka (growing lava domes at Shiveluch, Kizimen, Bezymianny, weak tremor and possibly still some lava effusion at Tolbachik, strombolian-vulcanian explosions at Karymski, hydrothermal tremor and degassing at Gorely).


Dukono (Halmahera): An elevated SO2 concentration visible on NOAA satellite data above the volcano suggests increased activity from the remote active volcano.

SO2 plume above Dukono volcano today (NOAA).

Yasur (Tanna Island, Vanuatu): The volcano continues to produce very rhythmic and often intense strombolian explosions.

Sometimes (see the following time-lapse video), bombs are ejected to the outer slope and land in or near the car-park area, where extreme caution should be applied. Geohazard maintains status level 2.


WATCH: Yasur volcano activity.

Veniaminof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): The eruption continues at moderate levels, as evidenced by continuous seismic tremor and elevated surface temperatures in satellite views.

Current seismic recording from Veniaminof (VNHG station, AVO).

Effusion and fountaining of lava from the active vent are likely ongoing as is low level ash emissions that are, at this time, restricted to an area within a few miles of the vent. (AVO daily update)


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Activity has been going on with little changes. The volcano has had about 1-2 weak emissions of steam, gas and small amounts of ash per hour during the past 24 hours.


WATCH: A short time-lapse from this morning (CENAPRED webcam) shows this activity:

Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): The lava dome has been relatively calm, with only few and weak explosions and small avalanches from the viscous lava flows descending on the flanks of the Caliente dome.


Pacaya (Guatemala): INSIVUMEH reports continuing strombolian activity with explosions every 10 seconds, accompanied by a continuous volcanic tremor signal.

Seismic signal from Pacaya today (PCG station, INSIVUMEH)

Pyroclastic material is thrown to 100-150 m height.


Fuego (Guatemala): Activity has been mild during the past days, with occasional small strombolian-type explosions that eject incandescent material to about 100 m above the crater.

Heavy rains caused lahars (mud flows) into the valley of Las Lajas and El Jute, and possibly also into the Ceniza canyon. Blocks of up to 1-2 meters in diameter were reported to have been carried along in these flows.


Heard (Australia, Southern Indian Ocean): A strong hot spot remains visible at Dawson Peak on Heard island, suggesting that volcanic activity (perhaps in the form of a small lava lake in the crater) continues.

MODIS hot spot data (past 7 days) for Heard volcano (ModVolc, Univ. Hawaii).

No ash plumes or significant degassing plumes have otherwise been detected on satellite data.




Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for September 10, 2013.


- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Global Volcano Report For August 1, 2013 - Surge In Activity At Guatemala's Pacaya Volcano With Increased Strombolian Explosions, NASA Satellite Reveals Active Lava Lake In The Summit Crater Of Australia's Heard Volcano!

August 01, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Pacaya (Guatemala): A surge in activity with increased strombolian explosions and the effusion of a lava flow occurred during 4 hours on 30 July, similar to the event from 30 May.

Seismic recording from Pacaya on 30 July (2), showing the end of
the eruption (PCG station, INSIVUMEH).

Explosions from the Mackenney crater reached heights of 250-300 m and a new lava flow started to flow onto the south side of the mountain through a deep notch in the crater... [read more]



Heard (Australia, Southern Indian Ocean): Recent satellite images suggest that a lava lake is most likely currently active in the summit crater of Mawson Peak.

MODIS hot spot data (past 7 days) for Heard volcano (ModVolc, Univ. Hawaii).

NASA satellite infrared images show a very hot circular object of about 100-150 m in diameter that plausibly could only be produced by the strongly heat-radiating surface of a lava lake. Currently, no lava flows seem to be present on the other hand.



Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for August 1, 2013.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Global Volcano Report For July 25, 2013 - Updates On Stromboli, Tolbachik, Chirinkotan, Galeras, Sakurajima, Lokon-Empung, Popocatépetl, Santiaguito, Santa María, Pacaya, Fuego, Telica, Reventador, Tungurahua, Sabancaya And Heard!

July 25, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Stromboli (Eolian Islands, Italy): Activity has been at relatively low to moderate levels recently. Explosions of small to medium size occur regularly from the "usual" (mainly the eastern and western) vents.


Tolbachik (Kamchatka): KVERT reports no changes in the ongoing mainly effusive eruption; tremor has remained stable (3.3 mcm/s).

No significant changes were reported for either of the other currently erupting / restless Kamchatkan volcanoes... [read more]


Chirinkotan (Northern Kuriles): A thermal hot spot and steam plume remain visible on satellite images (when there is no cloud cover), indicating that some activity continues at the remote volcano.


Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The IAVECI 2013 conference over, activity has dropped a bit, it seems. The volcano still has a few vulcanian explosions per day, but smaller in size, and phases of near-continuous ash emissions have become a bit weaker and shorter when observed last night.


Lokon-Empung (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): An explosion occurred Monday (22 July) morning at 05:06 local time, producing an ash plume of about 1200 m height.


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Emissions have been up to 2 per hour on average, but remained very small. A volcano-tectonic magnitude 2.3 quake occurred at 00:47 (local time) yesterday.


Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): The lava dome has been very calm during the past day. No explosions and no movement at the previously active lava flow (on the southern slope) were observed.


Pacaya (Guatemala): Seismic and surface activity have increased during the past days, characterized by the appearance of continuous tremor and more frequent strombolian explosions, the latest special bulletin of INSIVUMEH notes.

This morning's seismic signal from Pacaya (PCG station, INSIVUMEH).

This suggests a batch of fresh magma is currently rising. The Guatemalan scientists think that it is likely that strombolian activity will increase and perhaps a lava flow will appear on the flanks of the volcano in the coming days... [read more]


Fuego (Guatemala): Activity has remained low. INSIVUMEH reports only few and weak explosions (producing ash plumes up to 400 m height) and the active lava flow decreased to 50 m length.


Telica (Nicaragua): Seismic activity has decreased a bit, although small earthquakes are still frequent.

This morning's seismic recording at Telica (TELN station, INETER).

Galeras (Colombia): A magnitude 3.2 earthquake occurred under the volcano yesterday morning. The quake was felt by some nearby residents.


Reventador (Ecuador): Activity remains at high levels, characterized by small explosions and the likely effusion of lava flows. Unfortunately, near-constant cloud cover makes direct observations difficult.


Tungurahua (Ecuador): An increase in activity has occurred since yesterday. For 24 July, IGPEN reports an eruption column of steam and ash reaching 5 km above the crater drifting into westerly directions. During the past night, a further rise in activity has likely occurred, as the increasing tremor signal suggests.

This morning's seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IGPEN)

Weak to moderate explosion sounds could be heard overnight and ash fall was reported from El Manzano, Choglontus, Puela, Cahuaji, and in the sectors of Cevallos, Quero and Mocha.


Sabancaya (Peru): Seismic activity has picked up. A number of earthquakes in the magnitude 2-3 range have appeared recently.

Current seismic recording from Sabancaya volcano (BHZ station, IGP).

Heard (Australia, Southern Indian Ocean): A single hot spot is again visible at the summit crater. It is not known what activity exactly occurs there, but it could be that there is a small lava lake or strombolian-type activity from the crater at Dawson Peak.

MODIS hot spot data (past 7 days) for Heard volcano (ModVolc, Univ. Hawaii).

Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for July 25, 2013.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Global Volcano Report For May 02, 2013 - Updates On Stromboli, Etna, Bagana, Dukono, Ambrym, Popocatépetl, Fuego, Galeras, Nevado del Ruiz, Cumbal, Reventador, Tungurahua And Heard!

May 02, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Stromboli (Eolian Islands, Italy): Lava continues to intermittently flow over and out of vents at the rim and the base of the NE crater. Yesterday, the active flow front had reached about half way down the Sciara, local guides reported.

Thermal webcam image of the crater area of Stromboli (INGV).

Today, tremor has decreased again a bit, but overflows remain active at least in the upper parts of the slope. Relatively large explosions and near-constant rockfalls on the Sciara continue during the whole time.

Etna (Sicily, Italy): After 3 days of quiet, strombolian activity has resumed at the New SE crater yesterday. This has been accompanied by a rise of the tremor signal. Most likely, Etna is preparing again for yet another paroxysm in the near future.

Tremor signal (ESLN station, INGV).

Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): Heightened activity continues at Bagana. The latest NOAA satellite data reveal a significant plume of SO2 from the volcano.

SO2 plume from Bagana today (NOAA).

Dukono (Halmahera): An unusually large SO2 plume from Dukono suggests the volcano, in semi-permanent strombolian-type eruption for many years, is currently in a phase of elevated activity.

SO2 plume from Dukono (NOAA).

Ambrym (Vanuatu): A SO2 plume is howering over Ambrym island, suggesting that the lava lakes continue to be active. Our next group going there next week will hopefully be able to confirm this by direct observation.

SO2 from Ambrym today (NOAA).

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Activity has remained low, with only about 1 weak emission of mainly steam per hour. Glow at the summit continues to be seen at night.

Fuego (Guatemala): Activity has decreased - the lava flows stopped being alimented yesterday and the explosive activity has become weaker. Different from previous eruptive phases, this time, it did not culminate in a paroxysmal eruption.

Galeras (Colombia): Activity (seismic and at the surface) has recently calmed down at the volcano.

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): More earthquakes have occurred at shallow depth beneath the volcano, including a magnitude 2.6 quake yesterday noon (local time) at 5 km NE beneath the Arenas crater, as well as some larger events later at night (no updates from Manizales observatory yet, though). The seismic swarm continues.

Seismic signal from Ruiz this morning (OLL station, INGEOMINAS).

Cumbal (Colombia): Pasto observatory reported an increase in seismic activity during the past week, with many small volcanic-tectonic quakes u to magnitudes of 2.6 at varying depths of up to 20 km underneath of La Plazuela crater on the northern sector of the volcanic complex.

Reventador (Ecuador): Last night, emissions of steam and some ash produced a column rising bout 1 km above the crater.

Tungurahua (Ecuador): Activity remains at moderate levels. Steam andash emissions produce plumes rising about 2 km from the crater, and occasional stronger explosions with cannon-shot noises can be heard (rarely seen) ejecting blocks that fall onto the outer upper slopes and tumble downhill.

Seismic signal from Ruiz this morning (OLL station, INGEOMINAS).

Continuous volcanic tremor can be seen on the seismic recordings.

Heard (Australia, Southern Indian Ocean): Effusive eruptive activity at the remote volcano continues. A recent satellite picture shows a new lava flow on the SW flank of Mawson Peak. A MODIS hot spot is visible as well.

NASA Earth Observatory image of Hear Island on 20 April 2013 by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon.

Starting in October 2012, satellites measured subtle signals that suggested volcanic activity on remote Heard Island. The recent satellite images (NASA Earth Observatory) have now provided proof of an eruption otherwise likely undetected... [read more]


Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for May 2, 2013.


- Volcano Discovery.