GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Latest Report Of Volcanic Eruptions, Activity, Unrest And Awakenings – March 3-7, 2016! [PHOTOS + VIDEOS]

Strombolian eruption at Tungurahua on March 2, 2016. (Photo: E. Gaunt - OVTIGEPN)

March 7, 2016 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.


Tungurahua (Ecuador): The volcano is in a phase of mild to moderate strombolian activity. Incandescent bombs are ejected to the upper slopes of the volcano, generating avalanches. Ash plumes rise up to a few km above the crater and drift mostly in westerly directions.

Apparently, the large vent-clearing explosion on 27 Feb has opened the conduit to allow a sustained slow rise of magma and more gradual release of gas pressure in small discrete explosions (= strombolian activity).

In its latest report, IGEPN published a series of remarkable photos taken during cloud-free periods at night.



Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): An explosion occurred at the volcano this morning, producing an ash plume that rose 3000 m above the summit. The eruption was accompanied by Ash falls occurred later in several nearby towns to the NW including Chinchiná, Villamaría, Manizales and Palestine.

Nevado del Ruiz' eruption column. (Photo: Luis Guillermo Velásquez / La Patria)

The regional La Nubia airport was closed today after noon.


Shiveluch (Kamchatka): The lava dome continues to be very active, generating frequent rockfalls and small glowing avalanches on the SW side as well as, more rarely, on the SE side as can be seen on today's time-lapse video.


WATCH: Time-lapse of Shiveluch.

A larger event might have taken place after dark, as Tokyo VAAC reported an ash plume to 18,000 ft (5.4 km) altitude this morning 08:20 UTC (17:20 local time in Kamchatka).



Copahue (Chile): The activity at the volcano, near-constant degassing with sometimes ash emissions, has decreased over the past weeks. Ash venting has become less frequent and intense, and the glow from E Agrio crater that had been visible at the crater disappeared.

Weak steam/ash plume from Copahue.

According to the Chilean scientists from SERNAGEOMIN who monitor the volcano, the current activity of the volcano is being caused by the interaction of a small volume of new magma under its highly active shallow hydrothermal system - none or little of this magma reaches the surface itself, but the heat transfer into the circulating fluids causes fragmentation by small explosions and the emission of gasses and particles (ash). This activity reflects in a continuous tremor signal of moderate intensity.

Scientists concluded that the new magma volume has been too small to greatly affect the internal balance in the hydrothermal system. Other geophysical parameters such as rate of degassing and deformation are mostly within normal levels of the volcano. It is therefore expected that the current activity continues in the coming weeks to months at fluctuating rates. This includes possible short-lived phases of more pronounced sporadic phreatic to strombolian explosions.




Chripoi (Kurile Islands, Russia): A new eruption might have taken place at the volcano this afternoon. Based on satellite imagery, Tokyo VAAC reported an ash plume to estimated 20,000 ft (6 km) altitude that drifted east.

Whether or not an eruption took place still needs to be confirmed.



Alaid (Northern Kuriles): A new eruption is occurring at the volcano, satellite images show. A pronounced steam plume with possible ash content can be seen drifting west from the volcano, at estimated 13,000 ft (4 km) altitude. In addition, NASA's MODIS and VIIRS sensors have been detecting an intense heat source from the volcano's summit lately.

Steam plume from Alaid volcano. NASA Suomi NPP satellite image

Bromo (East Java, Indonesia): The latest eruptive cycle of the volcano might have ended. No more eruptions (explosions, ash emissions) have been observed during the past 2 weeks and seismic activity has returned to normal levels as well, our friend Oystein Andersen from Jakarta reported.

Tokyo VAAC raised the aviation color code to orange.


Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): The (probably) strombolian-type activity that had started a few days ago continues at the Otake crater and is visible as bright glow from neighboring islands.

Glow from Suwanose-jima's active crater.

Manam (Papua New Guinea): New activity has been reported from the volcano this morning. A pilot reported an ash plume at approx. 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude extending 50 km to the SE. A plume, along with a thermal signal, can also be seen on the latest satellite image.

Ash plume from Manam volcano

You can find photos and more detailed reports of the latest eruption at his website.


Telica (Nicaragua): The volcano has remained mostly calm during the past 24 hours. Sporadic weak ash emissions occurred at night, but glow could no longer be seen from the crater.

Ash emission from Telica.

Masaya (Nicaragua): The activity of the lava lake in the Santiago crater has been increasing in the past week. In a recent bulletin, INETER mentions that the previously two ponds in two adjacent vents have now joined, probably as a result of erosion by the violently degassing and convective lava.

The following video taken on the 1st of March gives a good impression:


WATCH: Activity at the Masaya lake.

Nevados de Chillán (Central Chile): A small eruption occurred at the volcano again yesterday, the first activity since the mild explosive activity on 7 February. Starting around noon, the volcano began to emit a steam plume of variable intensity, sometimes mixed with ash. The activity took place at one of the new craters that had formed in early February.

Eruption of Nevados de Chillan volcano

According to SERNAGEOMIN, seismicity and other monitored parameters had shown little fluctuations during most of February, but then started to increase at the end of the month, possibly related to a slowly ascending body of magma. Yesterday's new activity is likely the result of this and could be a precursor of more activity in the near to medium future.


Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): Based on Himawari-8 satellite data, Darwin VAAC reported an ash emission from the volcano at 7,000 ft (2.1 km) altitude last evening, creating a plume that drifted 100 km to the NE. Aviation color code is at Orange.


Kilauea (Hawai'i): The activity of the volcano remains essentially unchanged. Rising magma levels under the east rift zone briefly caused an overflow of lava that erupted from a spatter cone within the southern part of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater.

Thermal image of the lava overflow inside Kilauea's Pu'u 'O'o crater

This activity started around 8:15 a.m. local time yesterday (2 Mar), covered part of the crater floor and ceased at about 15:00 local time. No lava flowed beyond the crater. According to HVO, "this type of activity is not unusual for Puʻu ʻŌʻō, and does not reflect a significant change in the ongoing eruption".
At the summit caldera, rising magma levels temporarily brought the surface of the lava lake inside Halema'uma'u back in sight from the Jaggar Museum overlook in the early morning hours before receding.

Scattered surface flows remain active on the 'June 27th' flow field, all within about 6.0 km (4 mi) of Puʻu ʻŌʻō and do not currently threaten any nearby communities. Seismicity and deformation are within normal levels throughout the volcano.


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): No significant changes in activity have occurred over the past weeks. Bright glow at the summit crater indicates that the lava dome in its inner crater continues to grow slowly.

Intermittent weak to moderate explosions (on average 2-3 per day) sometimes produce ash plumes that rise up to 1-2 km and rarely eject incandescent material outside the crater.


WATCH: Glow from Popocatepetl volcano.

Fuego (Guatemala): The volcano's activity started to drop again to normal levels (intermittent small explosions) yesterday evening - the most recent paroxysm has now ended.

View of Fuego volcano.

Barren Island (Indian Ocean): Weak eruptive activity continues at the summit vent of the remote and rarely directly observed volcano, satellite data indicates.

A thermal hot spot has been present regularly during recent weeks, and on cloud-free days, a steam-gas plume can often be seen drifting from the island that sometimes contains some ash.

Steam (and ash?) plume from Barren Island on March 1(red spot is a thermal anomaly detected by the VIIRS radiometer onboard NASA's Suomi NPP)

What exactly the activity is like is difficult to say, but most likely is mild strombolian activity and/or the occasional presence of a (very small) lava lake in the summit crater.

- Volcano Discovery .

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Latest Report Of Volcanic Eruptions, Activity, Unrest And Awakenings – April 27, 2015!

April 28, 2015 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of Volcano Discovery.

Karymsky (Kamchatka): An explosion occurred this morning that was strong enough to produce an ash plume to approx. 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude (VAAC Tokyo).

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): Strong activity continues from the volcano. This morning (14:24 local time), an explosion at the Showa crater sent a plume to 15,000 ft (4.5 km) altitude that drifted north.

Manam (Papua New Guinea): Eruptive activity is taking place at the volcano. VAAC Darwin reported an ash plume to 8,000 ft from the volcano this morning. A pronounced SO2 plume can be seen on satellite data as well.

Dukono (Halmahera): The volcano continues to produce significant ash emissions - a plume extending 20 nautical miles E was observed Saturday (Darwin VAAC).

Barren Island (Indian Ocean): A pilot reported an ash plume rising to 10,000 ft from the volcano. Likely, eruptive activity which had produced a new lava flow in March is still going on or has resumed.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Latest Report Of Volcanic Eruptions, Activity, Unrest And Awakenings – March 25, 2015!

March 26, 2015 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.


Raung (East Java): Strombolian activity continues from the vents inside the summit caldera of the volcano. Raung's alert level of the volcano was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) a week ago.

Strombolian activity in Raung's crater in late Feb 2015 (photo: Andi / VolcanoDiscovery Indonesia)

An increasing number of volcanic-tectonic earthquakes had been detected. These quakes are indicators of rock breaking at depth, which can be caused by pressurized fluids, such as magma, intruding into the system.


Colima (Western Mexico): The volcano continues to produce sometimes strong vulcanian-type explosions that seem to have picked up in strength over the past days.

Eruption at Colima volcano this morning (photo: Hernando Rivera)

An eruption at 03:08 am local time produced fountaining of lava several hundred meters high and appears to have caused a small pyroclastic flow.

WATCH: Volcanic eruption at Colima - March 23, 2015.

Villarrica volcano (Central Chile): A steady stream of smoke and ash leaking from the Villarrica volcano has residents of a nearby town wondering if - or when - disaster might strike.

Chilean officials raised threat levels to orange on Wednesday due to increasing signs of activity in the 2840-meter tall volcano, leaving area residents fearful of an eruption.

'No one can sleep peacefully because the other day the eruption surprised us at 3 in the morning,' said Francisco Valenzuela, a tour guide in the nearby resort town of Pucon.

'The tourists are also a little uncertain,' Valenzuela said. 'Could something happen today? Could something happen tomorrow?'

A steady stream of smoke and ash being released from the Villarrica volcano.

The BBC reports that local authorities canceled classes for the more than 5,500 students in the area.

Many of the residents in towns and communities surrounding the volcano had to be evacuated earlier in the month, when lava and smoke erupted from the peak in the early hours of the morning.

'It was spewing lava and ash hundreds of meters into the air,' 29-year-old Australian tourist Travis Armstrong said. 'Lightning was striking down at the volcano from the ash cloud that formed from the eruption.'

Adding to the threat of ash and lava, the peak is covered by a glacier cap and snow, causing some officials to worry the eruption could cause mudslides or force rivers to flood and jump their banks.

The peak, located about 500 miles south of Santiago, is a popular hiking destination for tourists who could until recently peer into the crater and wonder about the volcano's destructive capacity

Smoke and lava: An eruption earlier this month triggered an evacuation, and residents worry it could happen again

'This is not a fireworks show,' according to Rodrigo Alvarez, director of the National Service of Geology and Mining, who directed everyone - but especially tourists - not to stray near the volcano.

Volcanic hazard map for the current activity at Chile’s Villarrica. Areas marked in red are the highest hazard areas. SERNAGEOMIN

The peak, located about 500 miles south of Santiago, is a popular hiking destination for tourists. With the last large eruption occurring in 1984, tourists could until recently peer into the crater and wonder about the volcano's destructive capacity.

Chile's president, Michelle Bachelet, visited Pucon after the first eruption to check on safety preparations and declare a state of emergency for area farmers in order to provide aid.

'You never know when an eruption will take place but what we do know is that the activity is lower, that's visible,' Bachelet said earlier in the month.

The residents who have returned home remain wary of the volcano, but many believe they can spot a warning sign in time to evacuate again safely.

'We are here everyday following it in the morning and afternoon to see if there's some change,' said Pablo Mendez. 'Something that would give us some minutes to evacuate.' 

UPDATE: Weak intermittent strombolian activity at the summit crater and occasional small ash emissions continue.  In its latest report from yesterday, SERNAGEOMIN mentioned a decrease in tremor and observed emissions.

An exclusion zone of 5 km radius around the crater is in place as the activity can increase abruptly at any time.


Dukono (Halmahera, Indonesia):  An ash emission this morning was observed on satellite imagery (Darwin VAAC).


Karymsky volcano (Kamchatka): Intermittent strombolian to vulcanian explosions continue to occur at the volcano.

Occasionally, such as this morning, the resulting typically smaller ash plumes are large enough to be reported in Tokyo VAAC's volcanic ash advisories.

Karymsky is one of the world's few volcanoes having been in persistent activity for centuries.


Zhupanovsky volcano (Kamchatka):  A relatively large ash emission from the volcano was reported this morning by Tokyo VAAC. Based on MTSAT satellite imagery, an ash plume rose to estimated 27,000 ft (8 km) altitude and extended east.


Ngauruhoe (North Island): Since the eruption of Tongariro and White Island in 2012-13, things have been quiet at New Zealand’s volcanoes. Only three volcanoes have been on Level 1/Green alert status (some restlessness, but no eruption imminent): Ruapehu, White Island and Tongariro. However, Ngauruhoe* has joined this list after an increase in earthquakes under the volcano over the past few weeks. This isn’t the first earthquake swarm under Ngauruhoe since its last eruption in 1975-77 that produced copious ash and lava flows. There have been 5 different periods of unrest, including a 4 year period between 2006-2010, none of which lead to an eruption. However, Ngauruhoe’s busy volcanic history means that any seismic unrest needs to be closely watched. Between 1950-1977, the volcano produced 15 different eruptions between VEI 1-3 (small to moderate). The current prognosis from GNS Science volcanologists is that this swarm will not likely lead to an eruption, but if the seismicity becomes more intense, that assessment might change.

New Zealand's GNS Science reports an increase in earthquakes under the volcano, interpreted as weak signs of volcanic unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level was raised to level 1 (minor volcanic unrest), but no eruption is expected in the near future.

Earthquakes (yellow and red circles) near Ngauruhoe during the past 14 days

If Ngauruhoe were go start erupting, you can catch the action on the GeoNet webcam.

* Note: GNS Science separates Ngauruhoe and Tongariro for monitoring purposes, but the Global Volcanism Program lists their activity together because it is though that the two edifices are really vents of the same magmatic system.



Shiveluch (Kamchatka):   Activity at the volcano remains elevated. A series of moderate explosions occurred over the past days, producing ash plumes that rose to 23-27,000 ft (7-9 km) altitude (Tokyo VAAC).

Eruption from Shiveluch

Chirpoi (Kurile Islands, Russia): A thermal anomaly continues to be visible at the summit of Snow volcano on cloud-free satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remains at Yellow.


Manam (Papua New Guinea): Activity at the volcano remains low, with only internal (seismic) unrest detected recently. The latest Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report from 11-17 March 2015 writes:

"RVO reported that activity at both Manam's Southern Crater and Main Crater was low during 1-18 March although inclement weather made crater observations difficult; no noises were reported. Seismicity had slowly and erratically increased since 28 February, peaked on 13 March and remained at that level through 15 March, and then increased again through 18 March. The seismicity was characterized by small-to-moderate, sub-continuous, and continuous volcanic tremor. Discrete low-frequency earthquakes were also recorded."



Shishaldin (United States, Aleutian Islands): Seismicity at the volcano continues to be above background, and according to AVO, "low-level activity", i.e. weak strombolian activity for example, could be occurring at the summit crater. Webcam imagery show only minor steaming.

Aviation Color Code remains at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.


Ubinas (Peru): The Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) and Observatorio Volcanológico del Sur (OVS) reported sporadic ash emissions on 17 March.

During 10 February-17 March seismicity at Ubinas was generally low, although a hybrid event was detected on 11 March.

Two main sources of seismicity were located 1 km W of the crater at depths of 1-3 km and 2 km NW at depths of 1-5 km. Water-vapor emissions rose as high as 1.5 km above the crater. Sporadic ash emissions were observed on 17 March. (from: Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 11-17 March 2015)


Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka):  Mild activity is again occurring at the summit vent of the tall stratovolcano. Aviation color code is orange.

Degassing plume from Klyuchevskoy this morning (KVERT)

KVERT reports that the "moderate explosive eruption of the volcano continues: gas-steam plumes containing small amount of ash are observing. Satellite data showed: ash plumes rose up to 5 km a.s.l. and drifted about 90 km to the north-east and east of the volcano; a weak thermal anomaly was noted over the volcano."



Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The volcano remains in a very active phase with 5-10 daily explosions. An eruption on 16 March produced an ash plume to 14,000 ft (4.2 km) altitude, i.e. rising approx. 3 km above the Showa crater.



Aso (Kyushu): Weak strombolian activity from two vents continue at the Nakadake crater, accompanied by abundant steam and minor ash emissions.

Weak strombolian eruption at Aso's Nakadake crater

Turrialba (Costa Rica): The volcano has remained calm at the surface, but seismic activity continues to be elevated. According to OVSICORI-UNA, new explosions with strong ash emissions should be expected in the near future.


Reventador (Ecuador): The recent lava flow on the southwestern flank, that had started early on 11 March and had reached a length of approx. 1500 m, seems no longer to be active, or has decreased a lot. Occasional small explosions continue to occur at the summit vent.

Infrared image of Reventador volcano on 15 Mar (IGEPN)

-  Volcano Discovery | The Daily Mail  | Wired.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Global Volcano Report For November 5, 2013 - Updates On Klyuchevskoy, Etna, Bagana, Manam, White Island And Fuego!

November 05, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of  Volcano Discovery.


Klyuchevskoy (Kamchatka): Tremor and degassing have increased with respect to the last report from KVERT. A steam plume rises about 2 km above the crater and a thermal anomaly over the volcano is visible on satellite data. This suggests that some volcanic activity (perhaps strombolian) has resumed (or continues).

Current view of Klyuchevskoy volcano (KVERT webcam).

Etna (Sicily, Italy): While the summit craters have remained calm, seismic activity shows continuing unrest at the volcano. A number of relatively shallow earthquakes occurred this morning under the volcano.

Location of the 2.9 earthquake under Etna this morning.

The only quake located by an international agency was a 2.9 magnitude event at 05:30 (GMT) at 18 km depth under the SW flank, while the other earthquakes were too small to be included, but appear to be shallower. More precise data will hopefully be available soon from INGV Catania.


Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): A relatively large SO2 plume from the volcano today indicates a surge in activity (ash explosions, strombolian activity?).

SO2 plume from Bagana volcano (NOAA).

Manam (Papua New Guinea): Elevated SO2 emissions are visible today on NOAA satellite data.


White Island (New Zealand): No further eruptive activity has occurred since the moderate eruption on the evening of 11 October 2013. Seismic activity and gas flux from the volcano have been at a low level since the eruption. The Aviation Colour Code has been lowered from Yellow to Green. (GeoNet).

Current webcam image of White Island (GeoNet).

Fuego (Guatemala): The volcano observatory of INSIVUMEH reports an increase in activity today: A new lava flow started to descend on the southern flank towards the Trinidad canyon and currently has a length of 100 m. Another branch towards the Ceniza canyon is 50 m long. From both flow fronts, incandescent avalanches detach with run-out lengths of up to 500 m.

The risk of pyroclastic flows triggered by collapse of the steep lava flow fronts is elevated.

Current seismic signal from Fuego volcano (FG3 station, INSIVUMEH).

Accompanied by elevated seismic activity, more and stronger explosions have occurred today. Ash plumes rose up to 800 m height above the crater and often produced loud shock waves that rattled roofs and windows of houses in villages Panimaché, Morelia and Panimaché II.

There are constant degassing sounds similar to a locomotive, and incandescent material is ejected to heights of 125-200 meters above the crater, generating avalanches on the upper slopes.


Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for November 5, 2013.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Global Volcano Report For September 12, 2013 - Updates On Lokon-Empung, Sakurajima, Shiveluch, Veniaminof, Suwanose-jima, Rabaul, Manam, Ulawun, Santa María, Santiaguito, And Arenal!

September 12, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Ash emission from Lokon volcano this morning (VSI webcam)

Lokon-Empung (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): Activity remains elevated. During yesterday, no significant explosions occurred, but the volcano erupted again several times with small explosions and ash emissions today.


WATCH: Time-lapse video of Lokon.

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): An explosion this morning produced an ash plume rising to 14,000 ft (4.2 km) altitude. This is the latest of the currently intense eruptive phase of ash emissions and frequent vulcanian explosions (at least 6 during yesterday).

On the 11th, JMA reported that 15 explosions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater ejected tephra as far as 1,300 m during 2-6 September. Incandescence from the crater was visible some nights. An explosion at 1100 on 4 September generated an ash plume that rose 2.8 km and drifted S, causing ashfall in areas downwind including Arimuracho (4 km SSE). Tephra 4 cm in diameter was confirmed in an area 3 km S, and tephra 1 cm in diameter was reported 10 km SSE.
 

Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): A new eruption was reported this morning producing an ash plume rising about 1 km above the Ontake crater to an altitude of 6,000 ft (1.8 km) and drifting NW.(VAAC Tokyo)


Rabaul (Tavurvur) (New Britain, Papua New Guinea): RVO reported that during 1-31 August low-level activity at Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone consisted of pale gray plumes with variable but mostly minor ash content. Intervals between emissions ranged from tens of seconds to hours.
 

Manam (Papua New Guinea): RVO reported that after a small eruption from Manam's Southern Crater during 27-28 August, activity subsided. Diffuse gray-brown ash plumes, emitted at short intervals, rose from the crater during 29-30 August, and crater incandescence was noted. Seismicity declined and was at a low level by the end of the day on 31 August.


Ulawun (New Britain, Papua New Guinea): RVO reported that activity at Ulawun was low during 4-31 August; emissions from the summit crater consisted of white vapor until 16 August, and were gray during 17-31 August.



Shiveluch (Kamchatka): The volcano continues to slowly extrude a new lobe of viscous lava from the dome.

Explosion from Shiveluch volcano this morning (KVERT webcam)

This process is accompanied by occasional explosions and ash emissions such as one this morning that produced a plume rising to 19,000 ft (5.8 km) altitude.


Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): INSIVUMEH reported that at 1405 on 5 September a lahar descended Santa María's Nima I drainage on the S flank carrying mostly fine sediment and 50-cm-diameter blocks, but also a small percentage of blocks 1-2 m in diameter. During 5-10 September white plumes rose 200-500 m and drifted W, SW, E, and NE.


Arenal (Costa Rica): OVSICORI-UNA reported that plumes composed mainly of water vapor rose from the NE and SE edges of Arenal's Crater C on 8 and 9 September. Tremors indicative of hydrothermal and magmatic activity were detected on 8 September.

The report noted that seismic and fumarolic activity had been very low in the past three years; however steam plumes associated with heavy rains had been frequent. (Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)


Veniaminof volcano (Alaska): A phase of strong continuous tremor occurred between yesterday noon and this morning (local time), possibly indicating another paroxysm with lava fountaining and associated ash emissions.

Current seismic recording from Veniaminof (VNHG station, AVO)

Cloud cover prevented direct observations.



Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for September 12, 2013.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Global Volcano Report For August 30, 2013 - Updates On El Hierro, Manam, Ijen, Dukono, Fuego, Ambrym, Veniaminof, Popocatépetl, Santa María, Santiaguito, Pacaya And Momotombo!

August 30, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain): Small earthquakes (mostly below magnitude 2) continue to occur frequently (10-20 per day), mostly under the central part of the island.

Location of quakes during the past 2 weeks (IGN)

Right now, this activity seems to be picking up, but it is too early to see if this evolves into another swarm.


Manam (Papua New Guinea): Explosions occurred this morning, producing ash plumes rising to 8,000 ft (2.4 km) altitude, VAAC Darwin reported.


Ijen (East Java, Indonesia): CVGHM reported that during 1 July-25 August diffuse white plumes rose 100-150 m above Ijen's crater, the lake water was light green, and seismicity decreased... [read more]


Dukono (Halmahera): VAAC Darwin reported an ash plume from the volcano at 8,000 ft (2.4 km) altitude yesterday morning. This might have originated from a larger than usual explosion.

The rarely visited volcano is one of Indonesia's almost permanently active volcanoes and often has strombolian to vulcanian activity.


Ambrym (Vanuatu): A large SO2 plume is drifting NW from the volcano, where at least two lava lakes in the Benbow and Marum craters remain active.

SO2 plume from Ambrym volcano (NOAA).

Veniaminof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): The eruption at the intracaldera cone of Veniaminof Volcano continues. The seismicity over the past 24 hours has been characterized by discreet episodic bursts of tremor, likely associated with lava effusion and minor ash emission.

Current seismic recording from Veniaminof (VNHG station, AVO)

Satellite images of the volcano over the past 24 hours have shown prominent thermal signals at the intracaldera cone, although views of the volcano have been infrequent due to cloud cover. (AVO daily update)


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Activity remains low with few (less than 1 per hour) weak emissions of steam and gas.

SO2 plume from Popocatépetl yesterday (NOAA).

Abundant SO2 output and glow at the summit indicate continuing lava extrusion.


Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): INSIVUMEH reports strong rockfall activity from the steep-sided lava flows, suggesting that several of them are being alimented at the moment. Strong degassing produces a steam column rising up to about 1 km above the dome.


Pacaya (Guatemala): Weak strombolian activity and the effusion of lava flows continues.

Pacaya volcano last evening (INSIVUMEH).

The activity can be seen from the capital and the coast.


Fuego (Guatemala): The lava flows were no longer active yesterday morning. Activity consisted in weak to moderate strombolian explosions with incandescent material projected to up to 150 m above the crater, and ash plumes of a few 100 m height.


Momotombo (Nicaragua): A swarm of quakes including a shallow magnitude 3.8 felt earthquake occurred yesterday morning (16:38 GMT) at 3.5 km depth under the NW flank of the volcano.

Location of yesterday's earthquake under Momotombo volcano, Nicaragua.

There are no reports of other unusual activity at the volcano.



Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for August 30, 2013.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Global Volcano Report For August 28, 2013 - Updates On Kliuchevskoi, Tolbachik, Sakurajima, Suwanose-jima, Manam, Popocatépetl, Santa María, Santiaguito, Pacaya And Fuego!

August 28, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Klyu seen from the KVERT observatory this morning; the lava flow is indicated by the white
plume rising on the right side of the upper flank

Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka): A small lava flow has started to descend on the upper northern flank of the volcano. Sometimes intense strombolian continues at the summit vent. Glowing blocks from the lava flow often detach from the front and roll down the steep slope of the volcano. No significant ash emissions have occurred so far.


Tolbachik (Kamchatka): The eruption seems to be coming to an end. Seismic activity dropped from still moderately high levels (2.4 mcm/s) to very low (0.12 mcm/s) on 24 Aug, and the effusion of lava has stopped. No incandescence was spotted in the area of the vent during the past days. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to yellow.


Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): Activity remains at high levels. Over the past 24 hours, the volcano has had 8 explosions recorded by VAAC Tokyo, with ash plumes rising to up to 12,000 ft altitude.


WATCH: The following shows an explosion this morning seen from Kagoshima:

Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): The volcano has entered an eruptive phase with frequent explosions, which over the past 2 days produced several ash plumes rising as high as 12,000 ft (3.6 km) altitude.


Manam (Papua New Guinea): Another ash plume was spotted earlier today reaching 10,000 ft and suggesting that the volcano has stepped up its activity recently.


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Activity has been low over the past days with little changes overall. The volcano continues to produce important degassing and has occasional small explosions. Glow at the summit can be seen when the weather is clear, indicating that lava continues to slowly extrude in the crater.


Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): A moderate explosion took place yesterday morning at 03:24 h local time, generating an eruption column rising 1.3 km, a pyroclastic flow on the SW flank of the dome, and an ash plume that drifted southwest and caused ashfall on Palajunoj.

The viscous lava flow on the southern flank of the dome remained active.


Pacaya (Guatemala): INSIVUMEH reports ongoing mild strombolian activity and the appearance of a new lava flow yesterday. The explosions occurred at rhythms of 4-10 minute intervals and ejected glowing lava to about 75 m height. The lava flow on the western flank of the Mackenney crater reached a length of 150-200 m.

Strombolian activity from Pacaya 26 Aug evening and seismic recording (CONRED image).

Judging from the seismogram, activity has decreased a bit today.


Fuego (Guatemala): Activity has not seen significant changes over the past days. Mild to moderate explosions (14 during 26-27 Aug counted) produce ash plumes of 200-500 m height and weak to moderate glowing avalanches of bombs on the upper slopes.



Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for August 28, 2013.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Global Volcano Report For August 26, 2013 - Updates On Monte Albano, Kliuchevskoi, Rabaul (Tavurvur), Bagana, Manam, And Suwanose-jima!

August 26, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Monte Albano (Italy): What appears to be a new fumarole appeared near Rome's International Fiumicino airport Saturday morning. A vent producing small geyser-like fountains of steam, water and mud suddenly opened in the ground near a road crossing near Fiumicino.

Geologists are currently examining the phenomenon. It is still a bit unclear whether it is not a man-made accident caused by a broken pipe or similar (which might well be the case). As La Repubblica statess, first inspections however indicate that ii is in fact a new natural vent. Obviously, there are also already some speculations whether it could be related to volcanic activity... [read more]


Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka): Relatively intense strombolian activity continues at the summit. Bright glow can be seen at night. Both webcam images and MODIS hot spot data indicate the occurrence of hot avalanches on the slopes of the volcano as well.


 WATCH: The following is a time-lapse video from today's activity (KVERT webcam):

Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): An explosion at 01:54 GMT was reported by VAAC Tokyo earlier today. The height of the ash plume could not be determined.


Rabaul (Tavurvur) (New Britain, Papua New Guinea): Mild to moderate explosive activity continues. During the past days, several ash plumes reaching 6,000 ft (1,8 km) altitude were reported. MODIS data show a hot spot at Tavurvur cone.

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

Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): A hot spot remains visible at the volcano, indicating that some activity continues. This is likely mostly effusive in style, because no recent significant ash emissions have been detected.


Manam (Papua New Guinea): Activity at the volcano continues. An explosion earlier today produced an ash plume rising to 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude extending 80 nautical miles to the NW, VAAC Darwin reported.

NASA EO-1 ALI satellite image of Manam volcano showing a steam plume and two active vents (21 Aug 2013)

A recent NASA satellite image from 21 August shows two active vents at the summit of the stratovolcano, possibly containing lava lakes.



Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for August 26, 2013.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Global Volcano Report For August 8, 2013 - Updates On Kizimen, Rabaul (Tavurvur), Chirinkotan, Popocatépetl, Manam, Veniaminof, Chirpoi, Ketoi, Tolbachik, And Sakurajima!

August 08, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Kizimen (Kamchatka): KVERT reports continuing growth of the lava dome, accompanied by hot avalanches and strong degassing.


Rabaul (Tavurvur) (New Britain, Papua New Guinea): Weak to moderate eruptive activity continues, characterized by frequent explosions and ash emissions from the Tavurvur cone:

RVO reported that during 22-31 July low-level activity consisted of discrete emissions of pale gray ash plumes occurring at short intervals. Some emissions were explosive and generated plumes that rose 2 km above the crater. Plumes drifted E, NE, N, NW, W, and SW, and deposited minor amounts of fine white and gray ash in areas downwind mainly between Namanula and Malaguna No. 1 (with Rabaul Town, 3-5 km NW, in between), and to a lesser extent between the Vulcan area and Malaguna No. 2. Roaring and rumbling noises also continued, often in conjunction with explosions... [read more]


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Activity has been stable with little changes. The rate of emissions decreased yesterday to about 1-2 per hour, but some small to moderate explosions still occur from time to time, producing ash plumes up to about 1.5 km height.

Ash eruption from Popocatépetl yesterday (CENAPRRED webcam).

Manam (Papua New Guinea): RVO reported that activity at Manam's Southern and Main craters remained low during 22-31 July; observers noted white vapor plumes rising from the craters during periods of clear weather. Considerable amounts of blue vapor rose from Southern Crater during 25-26 July.

Deep and low booming noises were heard on the island on most days since 24 July, however, on 30 July a loud explosion was heard in Bogia, 25-30 km SSW of Manam on the N coast of the mainland. Seismicity fluctuated but remained high... [read more]


Veniaminof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): Seismic activity remains above background levels and is characterized by intermittent bursts of tremor. Clouds obscured observations of the volcano in satellite and web camera images, so it is unclear whether low-level eruptive activity is continuing. (AVO)


Chirpoi (Kurile Islands, Russia): SVERT maintains yellow alert level, but could not obtain satellite data during the past week to determine whether activity continued.


Ketoi (Kurile Islands, Russia): Steam-gas emissions and a thermal anomaly continue to be detected from satellite data when atmospheric conditions allow.


Chirinkotan (Northern Kuriles): A steam and gas plume remains visible sometimes on satellite data, suggesting that activity (lava effusion?) continues.


Tolbachik (Kamchatka): Activity has remained stable during the past week. Lava continues to be erupted from the fissure vent on the south side of Tolbachik Dol, feeding two flow fields to the west and south.

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

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The volcano has been stepping up its activity again over the past 2 days. Yesterday alone, at least 6 explosions were registered by VAAC Tokyo, with plumes reaching up to 11,000 ft (3,4 km) altitude.


Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) forAugust 8, 2013.


- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Global Volcano Report For June 25, 2013 - Updates On Popocatépetl, Kizimen, Shiveluch, Tolbachik, Sakurajima, Manam, Veniaminof And Pavlof!

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

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): The volcano has remained at moderate levels with frequent but mostly smaller gas-steam-ash emissions at a rate of approx. 3 per hour. Plumes reached about 1 km above the crater.

Emission of ash and steam from Popocatépetl yesterday morning.

According to a local press article, some US airlines (United, AA) decided to temporarily use alternative airports instead of Mexico's International Airport (AICM) as a precaution against encountering ash. AICM itself reports that so far no ash so far has been detected at/near the airport.


Kizimen (Kamchatka): The lava dome remained active and produced hot avalanches on the western and eastern volcanic flanks. Moderate seismic activity and strong and moderate gas-steam activity accompany this process. Satellite data showed a thermal anomaly over the volcano. (KVERT)


Shiveluch (Kamchatka): Seismic activity has decreased, classified as weak by KVERT. This suggests the active dome is in a phase of relative calm.


Tolbachik (Kamchatka): No end of the eruption is in sight. Lava continues to be erupted from the southern fissure. KVERT reports no significant changes and tremor levels have remained stable over the past 2 weeks.


Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The volcano is back to about 1-2 explosions of moderate size per day.


Manam (Papua New Guinea): Ash plumes at 8,000 ft (2.4 km) altitude and extending to the NW were observed on satellite images (VAAC Darwin).


Veniaminof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): Activity has continued over the past days with little changes. Direct observations are difficult, but for the first time, some incandescence from the central cone was observed on the webcams yesterday. This is likely due to the presence of a lava flow and/or spattering from a vent. The latest update from the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO.


Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): The eruption continues at low levels. Seismic tremor and occasional explosions are being detected in seismic data and indicate that minor ash emission is likely occurring, although no ash plumes were detected on satellite data over the past day.

Elevated surface temperatures at the volcano have been observed in satellite data over the past 24 hours indicating lava at or near the surface. (AVO)


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

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Global Volcano Report For June 18, 2013 - Updates On Manam, Veniaminof, Pavlof, Fuego And Popocatépetl!

June 18, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Manam (Papua New Guinea): An eruption with a small ash plume was reported this morning and VAAC Darwin issued an advisory. A low level ash plume was also visible on Nasa's Aqua Modis image at 15:45 UTC.


Veniaminof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): The eruption continues. A lava flow is being erupted from the central intra-caldera cone, recent satellite images suggest as they show very high elevated surface temperatures in this area.

MODIS hot spot data for Veniaminof volcano showing the area of fresh lava flows (ModVolc, Univ. Hawaii).

Since about 10 hours ago, a seismic swarm and continuous tremor have appeared indicating probably an increase in this activity. No plumes were reported by AVO.


Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): No changes in activity were reported by the Alaska Volcano Observatory. Seismic activity continues to decrease and no elevated surface temperatures were detected in satellite images during the past 24 hours. No plumes were visible in satellite images, while web camera images show mostly cloudy conditions.


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): A powerful explosion occurred yesterday at 13:23 local time, producing an eruption column rising about 4 km. This is so far one (if not the) largest single eruption in the present cycle of activity.

Current seismic recording from Popocatépetl showing the explosion yesterday.

Fuego (Guatemala): Activity at all currently active volcanoes in Guatemala has been weaker today. The small new lava flow at Fuego was not mentioned in INSIVUMEH's daily reports, and only few weak strombolian explosions were observed since yesterday.

No strombolian activity was seen or heard at Pacaya and only a small explosion is mentioned for the lava dome of Santiaguito. Seismic recordings were not available today.



Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for June 18, 2013.


- Volcano Discovery.