GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Latest Report Of Volcanic Eruptions, Activity, Unrest And Awakenings – April 20-24, 2016! [PHOTOS + VIDEO]

Sinabung volcano. Endro Lewa

April 24, 2016 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.


Sinabung (North Sumatra, Indonesia): The Sinabung is always active in recent days.

Great photos of Firdaus Surbakti and Endro Lewa allow to detail the evolution of the pyroclastic flow of April 20.

Beidar Sinabung

Beidar Sinabung

Beidar Sinabung

Endro Lewa

Santiaguito (Guatemala): Another large eruption occurred at the Caliente dome yesterday morning, at around 6 am, with a new series of collapses that generated pyroclastic flows and an impressive ash plume that rose approx. 3 km above the lava dome.

Santiaguito volcano in Guatemala. Matthew Karsten

Ash plume from Santiaguito. Carlos Ventura / Prensa Libre

Carlos Ventura / Prensa Libre

According to INSIVUMEH, the source of the collapses is the continued supply of viscous lava that extrudes into the summit of the Caliente dome, and the collapse and pyroclastic flows affected its eastern side.

Ash fall occurred in areas to the west and southwest in up to 25 km distance, including the towns of Cuyotenango, San Francisco, Zunilito and Pueblo Nuevo.


WATCH: Santiaguito volcano erupts.

Masaya (Nicaragua): The lava lake in the volcano's summit crater continues to be very active and its level has risen a bit during the past days, INETER reports.

View of Masaya's lava lake. INETER crater webcam

Seismic activity, including tremor reflecting the degassing of the lava lake, fluctuates at moderate to high levels.


Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): Seismic activity at the volcano has continued to decrease over the past two weeks and no anomalous activity has been detected in satellite data since weakly elevated surface temperatures were seen on April 8.

AVO is therefore lowering the aviation color code to GREEN and the Volcano Alert Level to NORMAL.


Langila (New Britain, Papua New Guinea): Darwin VAAC reported ash emissions from the volcano that rose to 7,000 ft (2.1 km) altitude and drifted up to 100 km north.

Aviation color code is at orange.


Alaid (Northern Kuriles, Kuril Islands): Eruptive activity on the remote volcano continues; satellite images show fresh ash deposits and evidence a strong heat source from the crater.

Satellite image of Alaid, showing ash-darkened snow. Terra satellite / NASA

Heat signal from Alaid volcano. MIROVA

Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka):  The volcano continues to be in mild to moderate strombolian activity.

Strombolian activity at Klyuchevskoy volcano.Yury Demyanchuk

Dukono (Halmahera, Indonesia): Intense ash emissions continue from the volcano.

Dukono's ash plume. Aqua / NASA satellite image

This morning, VAAC Darwin reported a plume at approx. 7,000 ft (2.1 km) altitude extending 50 km to the NE, well visible on satellite images.


Nevados de Chillán (Chile):  New ash emissions occurred yesterday morning, generating a small plume that rose approx. 500 m.

Small ash emissions from Nevados de Chillán volcano. SERNAGEOMIN

According to Sernageomin, this activity is not caused directly by fresh magma, but related to disturbances of the shallow hydrothermal system which interacts with an underlying, probably only small body of magma.SERNAGEOMIN also reported a slight increase in earthquakes typical of internal fluid movements (LP- long period events) during the past weeks and that sporadic ash emissions are likely to continue.

The volcano's alert level remains at "yellow" and it is recommended to stay outside a radius of 2 km around the active craters


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Following Monday's large explosive activity (2 hours of lava fountaining), the volcano returned to be relatively calm, producing only steam emissions and no significant explosions.

Steam emission ("exhalation") from Popocatepetl volcano.

Bright glow remains visible from the summit, indicating that magma continues to rise and accumulate at the summit vent.


Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands, Japan):  The strombolian-type activity from the volcano on the small island in southern Japan continues to be elevated.

Ash plume from an eruption at Suwanose-jima volcano. JMA webcam

Frequent explosions produce small to moderate ash plumes that rise to altitudes of 5-7,000 ft (1.5-2 km).

Constant glow is visible from the O-take crater at night.


Soufrière Hills (Montserrat): On the island of Montserrat, heavy rains have eroded and re-mobilized the eruptive ash deposits in the Belham Valley, creating lahars there and making of this a dangerous area.

Lahars in the Belham Valley. MVO

The activity of the volcano Soufriere Hills, remains unchanged, characterized by a plume of gas blown northwards towards uninhabited areas. The alert level remains at 1.




Etna (Sicily, Italy): At Etna, ash emissions are noticed on the night of April 20 to 21, still visible the next morning at the northeast and new southeast craters.

 EtnaLive site states, based on the latest multidisciplinary INGV Catania report on the April 19th, that at the level of Bocca Nuova, the crater floor collapsed gradually, to produce the formation of a new crater in the fossa.
 

Bocca Nuova Etna - the red arrow indicates the collapse. INGV Catania

Etna summit craters - with legend. Joseph Nasi / Butterfly helicopters Service

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): The volcano produced a small ash plume today, Manizales volcano observatory reported to Washington VAAC.

Webcam views are obscured by weather clouds.Sporadic mild ash emissions have been occurring from the volcano from time to time during the past weeks.




- Volcano Discovery | MVO | INGV Catania | GVP.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Latest Report Of Volcanic Eruptions, Activity, Unrest And Awakenings – March 26-29, 2016! [PHOTOS]

Spectacular explosion from Sakurajima's Minamidake crater on March 26 (Image: Naoto Yoshidome / Twitter)

March 29, 2016 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): Over the past days, vulcanian-type explosions have again picked up in number and size, after only very few events during the first 3 weeks of March. Ash plumes rose to up to 10-12,000 ft (3-3.6 km) altitude.

The remarkable novelty is that most of the recent explosions occurred from the Minamidake crater, the volcano's old summit vent, and not from the Showa crater on its eastern flank, which had been (an almost exclusive) protagonist during the 10 years since 2006 until very recently.


Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): A new eruption started at the volcano abruptly Sunday (March 27) afternoon at 16:16 local time (00:18 UTC). An explosive eruption with lava fountaining produced an ash plume that quickly rose to approx. 20,000 ft elevation (6 km) and the Aviation Color code was raised to red.

Eruption of Pavlof on March 28, 2016 (Image: Almandmoss, Nahshon / Alaska Coast Guard / AVO)

The activity continued and reached its peak over the next 24 hours, when a sustained, continuous ash plume extended more than 700 km (400 miles) to the northeast over interior Alaska, with a maximum height of 37,000 ft (9 km) altitude.

Lava fountaining from the summit crater was observed throughout the night by mariners, pilots, and by residents in Cold Bay, located 37 miles (60 km) to the SW.

Volcanic mudflows (lahars), generated by rapidly melting ice and snow, are likely descending on the flanks of the volcano and could present a hazard in the local river valleys.

Alaska Volcano Observatory recorded continuous strong tremor accompanying the eruption. As of today (Tuesday morning), the eruption continues at much reduced intensity and the Aviation Color code has been lowered to ORANGE.


Santiaguito (Guatemala): Activity continues at the Caliente lava dome with little changes.

The volcano observatory reported strong degassing, some weak to moderate explosions with ash plumes rising up to approx. 900 m and constant block lava avalanches on the eastern and southeastern flanks of the lava dome.

The latter suggests that effusive activity has been elevated recently compared to during previous months.


Pacaya (Guatemala): Mild activity continues at the intra-crater cone of the Mackenney crater. INSIVUMEH reports a steam and gas plume rising 600 m and glow from lava visible at night.

Hot spot visible on Landsat 7 image from March (Image: Rüdiger Escobar Wolf ‏@rudigerescobar /Twitter)

Fuego (Guatemala): During the past week, activity at the volcano gradually increased into the 5th paroxysm in 2016, generating pulsating lava fountains, lava flows and possibly pyroclastic flows.

After the previous such episode in early March, the volcano had continued to produce its typical, persistent, but intermittent strombolian activity. The latter started to become more and more intense from around March 22, and became near-constant during March 24-25.

Lava fountains from Fuego during the night of 25-26 March 25-26, 2016

At least two lava flows of 1000 and 1700 m length formed on the upper western (Santa Teresa gully) and southeastern slope (Las Lajas ravine). Ash plumes rose to altitudes of approx. 5000 m and drifted up to approx. 160 km to the west over the Pacific Ocean.

After its latest paroxysm a few days ago, activity of the volcano has returned to normal levels with intermittent (one every few hours) weak to moderate-sized strombolian explosions.


Momotombo (Nicaragua): A slight increase in activity occurred last week between 23-26 March, when the volcano again produced some mild to moderate explosions, some of which were strong enough to send bombs to its upper outer slopes.

Moderately strong explosion at Momotombo on March 26.

During the past days, activity has again been calmer, although crater glow continues to tell the presence of fresh lava in the summit crater.


- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Increased Seismic Activity Reported At Aleutian Island's Semisopochnoi Volcano - USGS Upgrades Alert Level To "Advisory"!

Semisopochnoi Island, in November 2012. | Roger Clifford

March 26, 2015 - ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA - Citing increased seismic intensity, the U.S. Geological Survey is upgrading the volcano alert level status for Semisopochnoi, an Aleutian Island volcano, to "advisory," the agency said in a notice issued Wednesday morning.

Seismic activity at the Semisopochnoi volcano began in January, but "has increased in intensity over the past few days," USGS wrote in the notice.

"In addition, we have detected brief periods of seismic tremor, which can indicate movement of magma or magmatic gases."

Semisopochnoi is remote even by Alaska standards. It lies on an island of the same name some 127 miles from Adak and 1,283 miles from Anchorage.

The volcano last erupted in 1987.  - Alaska Dispatch News.

PLANETARY TREMORS: Strong 5.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Remote Aleutian Island Area! [MAPS + TECTONIC SUMMARY]

USGS earthquake location.

January 18, 2015 - ALASKA - An earthquake struck in a remote area of Alaska's Aleutian Island chain and there were no reports of damage or injuries.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-5.8 temblor occurred at 6:47 p.m. Friday and was centered about 65 miles beneath the in the Bering Sea seabed and about 1,300 miles southwest of Anchorage.

It was about 150 miles west of the populated island of Adak.

Though a quake of this magnitude is capable of causing damage, the Alaska Earthquake Center said it had no reports of it being felt or causing any problems. - AP.

USGS shakemap intensity

Tectonic Summary - Seismotectonics of Alaska

The Aleutian arc extends approximately 3,000 km from the Gulf of Alaska in the east to the Kamchatka Peninsula in the west. It marks the region where the Pacific plate subducts into the mantle beneath the North America plate. This subduction is responsible for the generation of the Aleutian Islands and the deep offshore Aleutian Trench.

The curvature of the arc results in a westward transition of relative plate motion from trench-normal (i.e., compressional) in the east to trench-parallel (i.e., translational) in the west, accompanied by westward variations in seismic activity, volcanism, and overriding plate composition. The Aleutian arc is generally divided into three regions: the western, central, and eastern Aleutians. Relative to a fixed North America plate, the Pacific plate is moving northwest at a rate that increases from roughly 60 mm/yr at the arc's eastern edge to 76 mm/yr near its western terminus. The eastern Aleutian arc extends from the Alaskan Peninsula in the east to the Fox Islands in the west. Motion along this section of the arc is characterized by arc-perpendicular convergence and Pacific plate subduction beneath thick continental lithosphere. This region exhibits intense volcanic activity and has a history of megathrust earthquakes.

The central Aleutian arc extends from the Andreanof Islands in the east to the Rat Islands in the west. Here, motion is characterized by westward-increasing oblique convergence and Pacific plate subduction beneath thin oceanic lithosphere. Along this portion of the arc, the Wadati-Benioff zone is well defined to depths of approximately 200 km. Despite the obliquity of convergence, active volcanism and megathrust earthquakes are also present along this margin.

The western Aleutians, stretching from the western end of the Rat Islands in the east to the Commander Islands, Russia, in the west, is tectonically different from the central and eastern portions of the arc. The increasing component of transform motion between the Pacific and North America plates is evidenced by diminishing active volcanism; the last active volcano is located on Buldir Island, in the far western portion of the Rat Island chain. Additionally, this portion of the subduction zone has not hosted large earthquakes or megathrust events in recorded history. Instead, the largest earthquakes in this region are generally shallow, predominantly strike-slip events with magnitudes between M5-6. Deeper earthquakes do occur, albeit rather scarcely and with small magnitudes (Magnitude less than 4), down to approximately 50 km.

USGS plate tectonics for the region.

Most of the seismicity along the Aleutian arc results from thrust faulting that occurs along the interface between the Pacific and North America plates, extending from near the base of the trench to depths of 40 to 60 km. Slip along this interface is responsible for generating devastating earthquakes. Deformation also occurs within the subducting slab in the form of intermediate-depth earthquakes that can reach depths of 250 km. Normal faulting events occur in the outer rise region of the Aleutian arc resulting from the bending of the oceanic Pacific plate as it enters the Aleutian trench. Additionally, deformation of the overriding North America plate generates shallow crustal earthquakes.

The Aleutian arc is a seismically active region, evidenced by the many moderate to large earthquakes occurring each year. Since 1900, this region has hosted twelve large earthquakes (Magnitude greater than 7.5) including the May 7, 1986 M8.0 Andreanof Islands, the June 10, 1996 M7.9 Andreanof Islands, and the November 17, 2003 M7.8 Rat Islands earthquakes. Six of these great earthquakes (M8.3 or larger) have occurred along the Aleutian arc that together have ruptured almost the entire shallow megathrust contact. The first of these major earthquakes occurred on August 17, 1906 near the island of Amchitka (M8.3) in the western Aleutian arc. However, unlike the other megathrust earthquakes along the arc, this event is thought to have been an intraplate event occurring in the shallow slab beneath the subduction zone interface.

The first megathrust event along the arc during the 20th century was the November 10, 1938 M8.6 Shumagin Island earthquake. This event ruptured an approximately 300 km long stretch of the arc from the southern end of Kodiak Island to the northern end of the Shumagin Islands and generated a small tsunami that was recorded as far south as Hawaii.

The April 1, 1946 M8.6 Unimak Island earthquake, located in the central Aleutian arc, was characterized by slow rupture followed by a devastating Pacific-wide tsunami that was observed as far south as the shores of Antarctica. Although damage from earthquake shaking was not severe locally, tsunami run-up heights were recorded as high as 42 m on Unimak Island and tsunami waves in Hilo, Hawaii also resulted in casualties. The slow rupture of this event has made it difficult to constrain the focal mechanism and depth of the earthquake, though it is thought to have been an interplate thrust earthquake.

The next megathrust earthquake occurred along the central portion of the Aleutian arc near the Andreanof Islands on March 9, 1957, with a magnitude of M8.6. The rupture length of this event was approximately 1200 km, making it the longest observed aftershock zone of all the historic Aleutian arc events. Although only limited seismic data from this event are still available, significant damage and tsunamis were observed on the islands of Adak and Unimak with tsunami heights of approximately 13 m.

The easternmost megathrust earthquake was the March 28, 1964 M9.2 Prince William Sound earthquake, currently the second largest recorded earthquake in the world. The event had a rupture length of roughly 700 km extending from Prince William Sound in the northeast to the southern end of Kodiak Island in the southwest. Extensive damage was recorded in Kenai, Moose Pass, and Kodiak but significant shaking was felt over a large region of Alaska, parts of western Yukon Territory, and British Columbia, Canada. Property damage was the largest in Anchorage, as a result of both the main shock shaking and the ensuing landslides. This megathrust earthquake also triggered a devastating tsunami that caused damage along the Gulf of Alaska, the West Coast of the United States, and in Hawaii.

The westernmost Aleutians megathrust earthquake followed a year later on February 4, 1965. This M8.7 Rat Islands earthquake was characterized by roughly 600 km of rupture. Although this event is quite large, damage was low owing to the region's remote and sparsely inhabited location. A relatively small tsunami was recorded throughout the Pacific Ocean with run-up heights up to 10.7 m on Shemya Island and flooding on Amchitka Island.

Although the Aleutian arc is highly active, seismicity is rather discontinuous, with two regions that have not experienced a large (Magnitude greater than 8.0) earthquake in the past century: the Commander Islands in the western Aleutians and the Shumagin Islands in the east. Due to the dominantly transform motion along the western arc, there is potential that the Commander Islands will rupture in a moderate to large strike-slip earthquake in the future. The Shumagin Islands region may also have high potential for hosting a large rupture in the future, though it has been suggested that little strain is being accumulated along this section of the subduction zone, and thus associated hazards may be reduced.

East of the Aleutian arc along the Gulf of Alaska, crustal earthquakes occur as a result transmitted deformation and stress associated with the northwestward convergence of the Pacific plate that collides a block of oceanic and continental material into the North America plate. In 2002, the Denali Fault ruptured in a sequence of earthquakes that commenced with the October 23 M6.7 Nenana Mountain right-lateral strike-slip earthquake and culminated with the November 3, M7.9 Denali earthquake which started as a thrust earthquake along a then unrecognized fault and continued with a larger right-lateral strike-slip event along the Denali and Totschunda Faults.

More information on regional seismicity and tectonics

- USGS.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Latest Report Of Volcanic Eruptions, Activity, Unrest And Awakenings – December 25, 2014!

Brink of a cascade of lava that forms part of the glowing hot lava river issuing from the nearby vent. (Photo: Martin Rietze)

December 25, 2014 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.


Fogo (Cape Verde): Lava effusion continues from the vents, while explosive activity there has more or less ended.

Lava is fed through tubes to active breakouts at different locations inside the Cha caldera. One area with active breakouts remains the former locations of Portela-Bangaeira villages, where by now almost all buildings have disappeared.

Active lava flow in the Cova Tina area west of the vents on 20 Dec (Image: Abraão Barbosa Vicente, via AVCAN)

Advancing lava flow in Portela village, with the active volcano in the background (Photo: Martin Rietze)

Night time view of the active vents beneath the starry sky, taken at the moment of a very large strombolian phase (Photo: Martin Rietze)

Another flow, particularly active in the past days, has been traveling to the west, towards the Cova Tina area, since early December. Meeting the caldera wall, it has now spit into two main lobes and advances over previous farmland. The most advanced front had a length of more than 2 km yesterday from the vents.

Gas emissions remain significant, suggesting the eruption could continue for a while. Since its beginning, it is estimated that more than 220,000 tons of sulfur dioxide have been released. 



Kilauea (Hawaii): The lava flow front that has been progressing towards the Pāhoa Marketplace, is currently stalled at approx. 600 m distance, to the relief of Pahoa. However, several breakouts are active in several areas behind the inactive front.

Map of the lava flow near Pahoa as of 24 Dec 2014 (HVO)

Shiveluch (Kamchatka): A moderately strong explosive eruption occurred Saturday night.

An ash plume rose to estimated 22,000 ft (6.5 km) altitude and bright glow was visible on webcam imagery, likely from incandescent material deposited during a dome collapse event.



Daikoku (Volcano Islands): A team of scientists from Oregon State University and NOAA found evidence that the submarine volcano, whose top is about 300 m below sea level, is currently erupting (or at least has been very recently).

Cross-section over the top of Daikoku seamount with the results from a CTD tow (black line), showing anomalies in turbidity (warm colors indicate high particle
concentrations) in the eruption plume. Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire 2014 - Ironman, NOAA/PMEL, NSF

Pond of molten sulfur discovered in the bottom of a small crater (from the 2006 Submarine Ring of Fire expedition)

Bathymetric comparison of data collected at Daikoku summit on this 2014 expedition (top)
and in 2003 (bottom). A large crater formed at the summit, and it was confirmed to be
hydrothermally (and possibly volcanically) active by the CTD tow and midwater
data collected on this expedition. (NOAA)

The expedition "Submarine Ring of Fire 2014 - Ironman" found this evidence in form of two observations: very strong plumes coming from the top of the seamount were detected that show characteristics that can only be explained by an eruption. During a previous survey in 2006, only hydrothermal activity, including the spectacular discovery of a liquid sulfur pond, were seen at the volcano.

Second, a comparison of bathymetric data shows that new craters have formed, something which also is difficult to explain other than by an eruption.

Gamalama (Halmahera): The volcano, one of the most active in the region, erupted unexpectedly last night (Thursday evening, 22:41 local time).

Unfortunately, it seems that the eruption claimed at least some victims: Several people (10-12 according to varying news reports) were on the volcano, a popular hiking destination, when the initial explosion occurred at night. At least two of them were reported missing, presumably killed, and several others wounded, mainly from injuries suffered when falling during their escape.


Intermittent ash emissions continue from the volcano. As it is unknown whether the eruption will dwindle down or increase, an exclusion zone of 2.5 km radius around the summit is in place.

Ash emissions from Gamalana Friday morning (Image @WorldVision / twitter)

Glow from the new eruption Thursday night (@PedomanNEWS / twitter)

All persons that had been missing immediately after the eruption have been found, fortunately there were no victims, only 4 injured (by falling during escape).

Ash fall has been causing small problems in Ternate where over 45,000 dust masks were distributed. The airport is still closed.


Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): A small eruption Saturday night was reported by a pilot. Alaska Volcano Observatory has no indications of significant activity, but maintains alert level yellow.


Bardarbunga (Central Iceland): The eruption continues with little variation. The Nornahraun lava field is now almost 80 square km in size. An extensive lava tube system has formed inside it, bringing supply of lava to the outer areas.

View of the eruption at Holuhraun this morning (MILA webcam)

Updated map of the lava flow field at Holuhraun (IMO)

A sea of lava at the eruption seen during an overflight on 8 Dec (Univ. Iceland)

Active breakout with lava advancing over snow (Univ. Iceland)

Aerial view of the Holuhraun eruption yesterday (credit: Martin Hensch / IMO)

Earthquake activity remains significant under the caldera, which continues to subside. Occasional quakes reach magnitudes above 5.

According to the latest measurements, the lava field from Holuhraun now covers 77,5 km². The eruption which had its 100th day on 9 Dec, continues with little changes and there is no end in sight.

Active breakouts are located on the northern margin of the lava field, now called "Nornahraun".

Earthquake activity under the central volcano remains elevated, but over the past weeks, earthquakes larger than magnitude 4 have become more rare. Recent geochemical studies of the lava show that it seems to rise directly from a source at 9-20 km depth, i.e. is generated by decompressing mantle material.

Volcano Activity Summary as  of December 22, 2014:

Currently erupting:

Ambrym (Vanuatu): active lava lakes in several craters (updated 14 Aug 2013)
Aso (Kyushu): intense strombolian activity from 2 vents (updated 18 Dec 2014)
Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): ash emissions, lava dome growth (updated 10 Nov 2014)
Bardarbunga (Central Iceland): lava lake, sporadic fountains, lava flow (updated 18 Sep 2014)
Barren Island (Indian Ocean): intermittent activity, likely strombolian-type and/or lava flows (updated 4 Feb 2014)
Batu Tara (Sunda Islands, Indonesia): strombolian explosions, ash plumes up to 500 m, extrusion of a small lava dome with rockfalls (updated 4 Nov 2014)
Colima (Western Mexico): new lava flow on SW flank (updated 30 Nov 2014)
Copahue (Chile/Argentina): ash venting (updated 4 Dec 2014)
Daikoku (Volcano Islands): underwater eruption discovered on 14 Dec 2014 (updated 22 Dec 2014)
Dukono (Halmahera): thermal anomaly, probably small explosive activity in summit crater (updated 25 Nov 2014)
Erebus (Antarctica): active lava lake in summit crater (updated 8 Dec 2014)
Erta Ale (Ethiopia): active lava lake in northern pit crater, active hornito with intermittend flow in southern crater (updated 11 Jan 2013)
Fogo (Cape Verde): weak lava effusion, strong SO2 release (updated 22 Dec 2014)
Fuego (Guatemala): strombolian explosions from summit crater, intermittent lava flows (updated 12 Dec 2014)
Gamalama (Halmahera): new eruption on 18 Dec 2014 (updated 22 Dec 2014)
Ibu (Halmahera, Indonesia): stromolian and phreatomagmatic explosions (updated 14 Nov 2014)
Karymsky (Kamchatka): occasional small explosions, thermal anomaly (updated 4 Oct 2014)
Kilauea (Hawai'i): new lava flow from vents on NE flank of Pu'u 'O'o (updated 13 Aug 2013)
Manam (Papua New Guinea): degassing, occasional ash venting (updated 28 Aug 2013)
Marapi (Western Sumatra, Indonesia): sporadic explosions (updated 27 Mar 2014)
Nasu (Honshu)
Nishino-shima (Volcano Islands, Japan): growing island (updated 3 Dec 2014)
Nyamuragira (DRCongo): active lava lake (updated 29 Nov 2014)
Nyiragongo (DRCongo): active lava lake in summit crater (updated 26 Feb 2014)
Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania): effusion of natrocarbonatite lava inside the crater (updated 8 Jul 2013)
Poas (Costa Rica): phreatic explosions (updated 14 Oct 2014)
Rabaul (Tavurvur) (New Britain, Papua New Guinea): lava fountains, ash emissions from Tavurvur cone (updated 12 Sep 2014)
Raung (East Java): mild strombolian activity in summit crater (updated 2 Dec 2014)
Reventador (Ecuador): lava flow on southwestern flank, intermittent explosions (updated 7 Dec 2014)
Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): ash venting, intermittent explosions (updated 15 Dec 2014)
Sangeang Api (Indonesia): growing lava dome & lava flow (updated 7 Jul 2014)
Santiaguito (Guatemala): generation of hot lahars (updated 12 Dec 2014)
Semeru (East Java, Indonesia): growing lava dome, lava flow, strombolian activity (updated 26 Nov 2014)
Shiveluch (Kamchatka): growing lava dome, incandescent avalanches, occasional explosions (updated 22 Dec 2014)
Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): continuing pyroclastic flows (updated 18 Dec 2014)
Slamet (Central Java): intense strombolian explosions (updated 13 Sep 2014)
Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): strombolian activity in summit crater (updated 14 Nov 2014)
Tungurahua (Ecuador): moderate to strong strombolian explosions from central crater (updated 25 Sep 2014)
Ubinas (Peru): degassing, sporadic small explosions and ash venting (updated 11 Sep 2014)
Yasur (Tanna Island, Vanuatu): ash emissions, weak strombolian explosions (updated 14 Aug 2013)
Zhupanovsky (Kamchatka, Russia): degassing, last eruption ended mid Oct 2014 (updated 16 Dec 2014)

Eruption warning / minor activity:

Augustine (Cook Inlet (SW Alaska))
Bezymianny (Central Kamchatka Depression): steaming, weak seismic activity (updated 3 Jul 2014)
Etna (Sicily, Italy): sporadic weak ash emissions from New SE crater (updated 19 Apr 2014)
Heard (Australia, Southern Indian Ocean): possibly lava lake in summit crater (updated 5 Dec 2014)
Karangetang (Siau Island, Sangihe Islands, Indonesia): incandescent lava dome (updated 24 Oct 2014)
Kavachi (Solomon Islands): no eruption since 2007 (updated 16 Jun 2014)
Kerinci (Sumatra): seismic unrest (updated 5 Jun 2013)
Kirishima (Kyushu): degassing, alert lowered (updated 25 Oct 2014)
Krakatau (Sunda Strait, Indonesia): degassing (updated 31 Mar 2014)
Kuchinoerabu-jima (Ryukyu Islands): explosion on 3 Aug 2014 (updated 5 Dec 2014)
Lokon-Empung (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): small explosions, lava flow? (updated 13 Sep 2014)
Lopevi (Vanuatu ): eruption warning (updated 16 Dec 2014)
Mayon (Luzon Island): steaming (updated 18 Dec 2014)
Monowai (Kermandec Islands, New Zealand): frequent submarine eruptions, last confirmed during Oct 2014 (updated 14 Nov 2014)
Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): ash emissions (updated 16 Dec 2014)
Ontake-san (Honshu): steaming, low seismic activity (updated 18 Dec 2014)
Pacaya (Guatemala): weak strombolian activity (updated 14 Nov 2014)
Papandayan (West Java): strong hydrothermal activity, increased seismicity (updated 6 May 2013)
Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): steaming, elevated seismic activity (updated 22 Dec 2014)
Piton de la Fournaise (La Réunion): short-lived eruption during 21-22 June (updated 4 Dec 2014)
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): degassing, sporadic explosions, slowly growing lava dome (updated 18 Dec 2014)
Rasshua (Central Kuriles)
Rincón de la Vieja (Costa Rica): phreatic explosions from crater lake (updated 21 Sep 2014)
Sabancaya (Peru): steaming, elevated seismic activity (updated 10 Nov 2014)
Sacabaya (Northern Chile, Bolivia and Argentina)
San Cristobal (Nicaragua): possible ash emission on 11 April (updated 12 Apr 2014)
San Miguel (El Salvador): ash emissions, small explosions, increasing tremor (updated 2 Sep 2014)
Sangay (Ecuador): degassing (updated 24 May 2013)
Shishaldin (United States, Aleutian Islands): mild explosive activity, intermittent more intense phases (updated 18 Dec 2014)
Stromboli (Eolian Islands, Italy): weak strombolian activity at summit vents (updated 12 Dec 2014)
Turrialba (Costa Rica): occasional ash emissions (updated 9 Dec 2014)
Ulawun (New Britain, Papua New Guinea): degassing, ash venting (updated 5 Aug 2013)
Villarrica (Central Chile): deep-seated strombolian explosions in summit crater (updated 18 Dec 2014)

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Aleutian Volcanoes Are Waking Up In Alaska - The Most Activity Seen In 26 YEARS!

June 23, 2014 - ALASKA - Sharply increased seismic activity and volcanic eruptions in the Aleutian Islands and the far western Brooks Range are being investigated by scientists.

Volcano Pavlof photographed by the International Space Station on May 18, 2013. Image Credit: NASA.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory says the activity over the past few months is the most seen by the station 26 years.

On the Alaska Volcano Observatory website three volcanoes are classified with a yellow alert level—signifying signs of elevated unrest above known background levels—and three are at an orange alert level—heightened unrest with increased likelihood of eruption.

Orange is the second-highest alert level after red signifying an eruption that is imminent or underway.

Screen shot from the Alaska Volcano Observatory's website.

Pavlof Volcano released an ash plum in May that diverted aircraft. The 8,262-foot (2,518-meter) tall volcano erupted sending ash plumes as high as 30,000 feet (9,144 meters). Aircraft were advised to avoid the area since ash could damage airplane engines.

With heightened activity from all volcanoes, scientists still don't have enough information to point to any larger trend or activity.

"At this point, you know, we have to say it’s coincidental," he said in an interview with radio station KTOO News.

Pair of satellite images of Unimak Island on June 21, 2014. On the left a NOAA AVHRR image showing strongly elevated
surface temperatures at the summit of Shishaldin Volcano, consistent with ongoing low-level eruptive activity in the
summit crater. On the right, from about 6 hours later, is a visible image of the island from a different satellite. Shishaldin
is visible but there is no obvious sign of activity. A number of other volcanoes are visible as well. These are the
kinds of images AVO scientists examine daily to evaluate the state of Alaska's 52 historically active volcanoes.
For more information, explore our web site: www.avo.alaska.edu.
http://avo.alaska.edu/images/image.php?id=66401
Alaska Volcano Observatory

"It could be that there is a larger process at work, but we’re not able to say what that is at this point in time, or if there is such a process. You know, perhaps the answer is we haven’t been looking long enough to know."

The government agency posted news updates on its Facebook page today showing elevated surface temperatures at the summit of Shishaldin Volcano. - Mining.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Volcano Report For June 19, 2014 - Major Updates On Popocatépetl, Etna, Zhupanovsky, Nishino-shima, Ubinas, Sakurajima, Suwanose-jima, Santiaguito, Shishaldin, Semisopochnoi, Fuego, Pavlof, Reventador, Bezymianny, Sangeang Api And Sabancaya! [PHOTOS+GRAPHS+VIDEO]

June 19, 2014 - GLOBAL VOLCANISM - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of  Volcano Discovery.

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): A moderate explosion occurred yesterday morning at 11:10 local time and generated a 2.5 km high ash column drifting NW. Overall, the activity at the volcano has been low during the past weeks. The alert status remains at Yellow Phase 2 (CENAPRED).

Explosion from Popocatépetl yesterday.

Etna (Sicily, Italy): The latest eruptive episode at the New SE crater, which again grew a few meters during this time, is now over. The lava flow is no longer active and there are no (or only very weak and sporadic) explosions at the crater itself. Tremor has descended back to low levels.

Thermal image of the New SE crater (INGV webcam)

The lava flows from Etna's New SE crater this morning (Photo: Marco Fulle)

Current tremor amplitude (ESLN station, INGV Catania)

On June 8, weak strombolian activity and lava effusion were still going on. Marco Fulle who is still on location took this picture of the scene complete with a rare steam ring.

Activity and tremor have further decreased - it seems that the latest eruptive (explosive-effusive) phase at the New SE crater is coming to an end.

A series of photos taken during 15-16 June has been posted here.


Zhupanovsky (Kamchatka, Russia): VAAC Tokyo reports continuous ash emissions to approx 3 km altitude.


Nishino-shima (Volcano Islands): Eruptions continue to add land to the remote island volcano. Recent pictures by the Japanese Coast guard on 11 and 13 June show steaming along the shoreline, indicating active lava flow fronts, possibly tube-fed since no surface incandescence was visible.

3 vents at Nishinoshima volcano (June 13)

A large steam plume mixed with bluish gas and light brown ash was rising from at least 3 vents, two of which belong to the large central cinder cone, while the other smaller vent to the east of the base of the cone emitted most of the bluish gas (SO2) and seems to host a small lava lake feeding an active flow.

Pulsating strombolian eruptions ejecting tephra and brown ash plumes were seen from the central cinder cone.


Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): Activity at the volcano continues to be elevated. However, the rhythm of Sakurajima's typical vulcanian-type explosions (all from the Showa crater) has been very irregular recently and averages about 1-2 per day.

Eruption at Sakurajima this morning

Some of the recent explosions have been relatively large, such as one this morning (13,000 ft ash plume) or one on 6 June when an ash plume rose to 18,000 ft (5.4 km) altitude.


Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): A new explosion occurred at the volcano minutes ago. An ash plume rising several 100 meters from the active crater can be seen on webcam images.

Eruption at Suwanosejima volcano this morning.

Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): According to AVO, seismic activity suggests that weak eruptive activity (minor lava effusion?) continues at the volcano.

Current seismic activity (PVV station, AVO)

Shishaldin (United States, Aleutian Islands): Low-level eruptive activity continues at the volcano according to AVO: "No activity was observed in mostly cloudy satellite images over the last 24 hours. Web camera views of the volcano are currently obscured by weather, however, views from late yesterday afternoon show a low-level plume from the summit."


Semisopochnoi (United States, Aleutian Islands): The earthquake swarm continues. No eruptive activity has been detected.

Current seismic activity (CEAP station / AVO)

Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): Strong degassing from the Caliente lava dome, occasional small explosions (one was reported this morning with a gray ash plume 600 m tall), and a slowly advancing viscous lava flow in the 6 May collapse scar characterize the volcano's activity.


Fuego (Guatemala): Strombolian activity remains at moderate unchanged levels. Ash plumes rose to 600 m above the crater and shock waves from stronger explosions rattle roofs and windows in houses of nearby villages.


Reventador (Ecuador): Effusive-explosive activity continues at the volcano. Small ash eruptions occurred today and weak lava effusion on the upper flanks of the cone can be seen on thermal webcam imagery.

Small ash puff from Reventador today

Ubinas (Peru): Mild to moderate explosive activity continues with little changes.


WATCH: A number of smaller explosions and phase of continuous ash emissions occurred today at the volcano:

 

Bezymianny (Central Kamchatka Depression): KVERT raised the alert level of the volcano to orange because increased seismic activity has been detected recently. The last major eruption of the volcano was an explosion on September 1, 2012.

According to the Russian volcanologists, this seismicity could suggest that fresh magma started to rise within the volcano and/or a new phase of lava extrusion has already started at the summit. This process which is often accompanied by explosive activity (when gasses inside the fresh very viscous magma are trapped and accumulate to build up pressure).

In addition, the fact that the volcano has been more or less quiet for almost two years could suggest the presence of a solid plug currently clogging the conduit, in which case a larger explosion that clears it is a realistic scenario.


Sangeang Api (Indonesia): A new lava dome and a lava flow traveling down to the southeastern flank have started to grow during the past week, probably since 7 June.

VSI (who lowered the alert status back to 2 out of 4, WASPADA) reported in a bulletin that red glow is visible at the volcano's top known as Doro Api. Satellite imagery show a hot spot and steaming from the dome and the new lava flow, which had a length of approx. 2 km on 11 June.


Sabancaya (Peru): According to local news, steaming at the volcano has been observed since yesterday morning and it is believed that the volcano could erupt in a near to medium term future: few weeks to months.

Luis Macedo from Peru's Geophysical Institute in Arequipe (IGP) was quoted that seismic unrest, which had begun with a strong earthquake on 22 Feb 2013, continued at the volcano with averages of 30-120 quakes per day.

He also said that these tremors have been showing a trend of becoming closer to the crater and that explosions could occur within few weeks or months if this activity continues.

Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for June 19, 2014.


- Volcano Discovery.