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 14, 2015!

April 14, 2015 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of Volcano Discovery.



Reventador (Ecuador): Activity has been relatively intense during the past days. Frequent explosions with ash plumes of 1-2 km height and smaller pyroclastic flows have occurred from the summit vent, where a lava dome is growing.

Explosion and pyroclastic flow at Reventador on 9 April

Hekla (Iceland): Small earthquake swarms occurred at shallow depths during the past days near the volcano. The quakes were located approx. 6-10 km south of Hekla volcano and at shallow depths around 5 km.

Epicenters of recent earthquakes south of Hekla

Time vs depth of earthquakes near Hekla

The largest quakes were two magnitude 2.6 events at 4 km depth on Thursday (9 April). It is impossible to say whether the earthquakes are linked to volcanic activity and thus might be precursors of a new eruption, but Hekla is probably the most likely candidate volcano for the next eruption to occur on Iceland.

One of the country's most active, and the most frequently erupting volcano, Hekla has been believed to be "due" and have its magma chamber filled for several years now. Known for not giving much precursory signals (and only few earthquakes), an eruption would not be a surprise at all.


Klyuchevskoy (Kamchatka): After less than two weeks pause, the volcano started to erupt again - mild strombolian explosions at the summit crater and small ash emissions.

Weak steam / ash plume from Klyuchevskoy volcano today

KVERT raised the alert level again to yellow and noted that seismic activity has also shown an increase recently.


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Activity has remained essentially unchanged. Intermittent small to moderate explosions occur from the volcano's summit crater, where slow magma extrusion continues to accumulate in a moderately viscous, flat dome.

Aerial view of Popo's crater on 10 April with the partially collapsed lava dome (CENAPRED)

An aerial survey on 10 April showed that the most recent dome seen in February (numbered 55) had partially collapsed, as a result of the explosions during late March to early April.

Its remaining mass occupying the inner crater was flat and had developed a series of concentric fissures.


Tungurahua (Ecuador): Intermittent mild explosive activity with ash emissions continues at the volcano.

Ash emission at Tungurahua on 10 April

An unusual seismic swarm occurred during the night of 9-10 April, following two volcanic earthquakes at 6 km depth in the evening. More than 1300 quakes were recorded until noon of 10 April. What made it unusual was that the seismic events were of the "drumbeat" type, not seen on Tungurahua during the past 16 years, but thought to correspond to the ascent of viscous magma.

Gas emissions have continued to show an increase and the presence of black ash also suggests that a new batch of magma is arriving. These observations make the scenario of a sudden violent explosion in the near future a serious possibility.

Seismic swarm at Tungurahua 9-10 April (IGPEN)

Drumbeat seismic signals (IGPEN)

Authorities have started to take preventive measures in case of a larger eruption. Road conditions and meeting points in case of evacuations were checked and communicated to the local population. Access restrictions were imposed to potentially dangerous areas, in particular valleys draining from the volcano and the road Penipe Los Pajaros - Banos

Volcano Activity Summary as of April 13, 2015:

Currently erupting:

Ambrym (Vanuatu): active lava lakes in several craters (updated 14 Aug 2013)
Aso (Kyushu): intense strombolian activity from main vent in Nakadake crater (updated 27 Mar 2015)
Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): ash emissions, lava dome growth (updated 2 Apr 2015)
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): Irregular small to moderately large explosions (updated 31 Mar 2015)
Copahue (Chile/Argentina): ash venting (updated 4 Dec 2014)
Dukono (Halmahera): thermal anomaly, probably small explosive activity in summit crater (updated 7 Apr 2015)
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)
Fuego (Guatemala): intermittent strombolian explosions (updated 13 Mar 2015)
Ibu (Halmahera, Indonesia): stromolian and phreatomagmatic explosions (updated 14 Nov 2014)
Karangetang (Siau Island, Sangihe Islands, Indonesia): growing lava dome, incandescent avalanches (updated 5 Feb 2015)
Karymsky (Kamchatka): occasional small explosions, thermal anomaly (updated 3 Apr 2015)
Kilauea (Hawai'i): new lava flow from vents on NE flank of Pu'u 'O'o (updated 13 Aug 2013)
Mount Olympus (Mars)
Nishino-shima (Volcano Islands, Japan): growing island (updated 19 Jan 2015)
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)
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): degassing, sporadic explosions, slowly growing lava dome (updated 13 Apr 2015)
Rabaul (Tavurvur) (New Britain, Papua New Guinea): lava fountains, ash emissions from Tavurvur cone (updated 12 Sep 2014)
Raung (East Java): Large Strombolian explosions (updated 18 Mar 2015)
Reventador (Ecuador): intermittent weak to moderate explosions, occasional pyroclastic flows (updated 13 Apr 2015)
Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): ash venting, intermittent explosions (updated 27 Mar 2015)
Sangay (Ecuador): likely strombolian eruptions at summit crater (updated 13 Mar 2015)
Santiaguito (Guatemala): small explosions from the Caliente dome and active lava flow (updated 3 Feb 2015)
Semeru (East Java, Indonesia): growing lava dome, lava flow, strombolian activity (updated 26 Nov 2014)
Shiveluch (Kamchatka): growing lava dome (updated 3 Apr 2015)
Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): continuing pyroclastic flows (updated 2 Apr 2015)
Soputan (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): active viscous lava flow, explosions, rockfalls, pyroclastic flows (updated 9 Mar 2015)
Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): strombolian activity (updated 16 Feb 2015)
Tungurahua (Ecuador): volcanic unrest, ash emissions, degassing (updated 13 Apr 2015)
Ubinas (Peru): continuous ash emissions (updated 9 Apr 2015)
Villarrica (Central Chile): pulsating gas and ash emissions (updated 3 Apr 2015)
Yasur (Tanna Island, Vanuatu): ash emissions, weak strombolian explosions (updated 14 Aug 2013)
Zhupanovsky (Kamchatka, Russia): intermittent ash emissions (updated 3 Apr 2015)

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)
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): steaming, incandescence at main crater (updated 27 Mar 2015)
Lokon-Empung (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): small explosions, lava flow? (updated 13 Sep 2014)
Lopevi (Vanuatu): eruption warning (updated 16 Dec 2014)
Manam (Papua New Guinea): seismic unrest (updated 20 Mar 2015)
Mayon (Luzon Island): steaming (updated 18 Dec 2014)
Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): ash emissions (updated 16 Dec 2014)
Nyamuragira (DRCongo): active lava lake (updated 29 Nov 2014)
Ontake-san (Honshu): steaming, low seismic activity (updated 18 Dec 2014)
Pacaya (Guatemala): ash emissions (updated 7 Feb 2015)
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): new eruption on 4 Feb 2015 (updated 16 Feb 2015)
Rasshua (Central Kuriles)
Rincón de la Vieja (Costa Rica): phreatic explosions from crater lake (updated 21 Sep 2014)
Sacabaya (Northern Chile, Bolivia and Argentina)
San Cristobal (Nicaragua): possible ash emission on 11 April (updated 9 Mar 2015)
San Miguel (El Salvador): elevated seismic activity, pulsating gas emissions (updated 28 Jan 2015)
Shishaldin (United States, Aleutian Islands): mild explosive activity, intermittent more intense phases (updated 3 Apr 2015)
Slamet (Central Java): intense strombolian explosions (updated 12 Jan 2015)
Stromboli (Eolian Islands, Italy): weak strombolian activity at summit vents (updated 13 Mar 2015)
Turrialba (Costa Rica): ash eruptions (updated 7 Apr 2015)
Ulawun (New Britain, Papua New Guinea): degassing, ash venting (updated 5 Aug 2013)

 

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Latest Report Of Volcanic Eruptions, Activity, Unrest And Awakenings – March 9, 2015!

A night-time photo of eruptions observed from the west and north of Colima volcano.

March 9, 2015 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.


Colima (Western Mexico): Activity remains similar as during the past week when we observed it from close - intermittent small to moderate explosions producing ash plumes of 1-2 km height. During our last overflight on Saturday, we could see that the lava dome had disappeared, likely a result of the recent explosions.

WATCH: Eruption at the Colima volcano.

Soputan (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): Mount Soputan in Southeast Minahasa District, North Sulawesi erupted on Saturday at 05:09 pm Central Indonesian Time (GMT+8), shooting plumes of ash 4,500 meters to the sky, an official said.

Head of Data and Information Center of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said here, Saturday, on a broadcast statement that according to a report of the Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG), Mount Soputan spewed pyroclastic flow to the east side of the volcano reaching 2,500 meters from its peak.

Eruption of Soputan volcano this morning (Image: VSI).

Volcanic ash were falling to several sub-districts in Southeast Minahasa District such as Silian Raya, Touluaan, Tombatu, Pasan and Rataha.

The volcano is still in alert level III status.

"There are no people evacuated as the nearest residential area is located eight kilometers from the mounts peak," Nugroho said.

In June 2008, Mount Soputan erupted and spewed pyroclastic flow reaching a radius of 6.5km from the peak.

The authority, therefore, stated that people activities are banned in the area within 6.5km radius from the Mount Soputan peak.

UPDATE: Activity continues at the volcano, but has been decreasing.  Following the strong explosion on Saturday, mild lava fountaining from two vents and the effusion of a small lava flow on the western flank occurred,- signs that the eruption had been caused by a new batch of fresh magma. Seismic activity remains strong.


Fuego (Guatemala): The volcano is in mild to moderate strombolian activity with a few explosions on average per hour. Incandescent material is being ejected to 100 m above the crater and ash plumes rise up to 800 m.A phase of strong lava effusion on 1-2 March had produced a lava flow reaching 2 km length.


Turrialba (Costa Rica): Small ash emissions were observed yesterday.A series of 4 small explosions occurred between 13:41 and 15:17 local time, generating plumes of up to 500 m height.It is not known at the moment, if the eruptions are phreatic, i.e. the result of exploding overheated water, or caused by fresh magma arriving at the summit.


Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka): The explosive-effusive eruption of the volcano probably finished. According to KVERT, volcanic tremor significant decreased yesterday and no lava or ash emissions could be seen any more at the summit crater. Moderately degassing and a thermal anomaly at the summit continue. Aviation color code was lowered from orange to yellow.


Shiveluch (Kamchatka): Explosions continue to occur at the volcano sporadically, although none of the previous days has been as strong as the violent eruption on 28 Feb. The most recent was an explosion yesterday morning, producing an ash plume that rose to approx. 25,000 ft (7.5 km) altitude, but no pyroclastic flows.  KVERT maintains aviation color code orange.

Explosion at Shiveluch yesterday morning.

San Cristobal (Nicaragua): Two explosions occurred last Thursday afternoon, producing moderately strong ash emissions of a few hundred meters height. No damage was reported, only slight ash fall causing visibility problems on nearby roads and similar minor problems.


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): The activity of the volcano remains at fluctuating, but overall similar levels as during the past months. An increase in tremor yesterday probably corresponded to a phase of active dome growth, accompanied by bright glow visible at the crater and intense degassing and light ash emissions reaching 1500 m height.

WATCH: Eruption at the Popocatepetl volcano.

- Volcano Discovery | Antara News.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Latest Report Of Volcanic Eruptions, Activity, Unrest And Awakenings – February 16, 2015!

February 16, 2015 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): Following the large pyroclastic flow on 9 Feb, several smaller to medium ones have occurred over the past days.

Pyroclastic flow at Sinabung this morning (image: @BeidarSinabung / twitter)

It is difficult to be sure, but it suggests that lava effusion to the steep viscous lobe on the upper steep flank is currently at a higher rate than during most of the past months.


Bardarbunga (Central Iceland): The eruption at Holuhraun continues at similar levels as lately, the Icelandic Met Office reports in its updates.

Photo of the lava lake at Holuhraun on 12 Feb (photo: Ármann Höskuldsson / Univ. Iceland)

The decreasing trend, however, is becoming visible in a significant drop of the lava lake level inside the Baugur crater above the main vents, seen in the photo above.

"From the field 12 Feb 2015; view from the rim of the southern crater into the lava lake of Baugur. In the foreground, 400m away from the rim, is the southern magma vent. Beyond that there is the northern magma vent, boiling. The lava lake in the foreground is not only glowing; the blackish cover next to the rim indicates some cold crust on its surface, whereas the orange colour reveals liquid magma. Photo: Ármann Höskuldsson. See more photos in a field report from the Institute of Earth Sciences" (Icelandic Met Office).


Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka): A stronger phase in the ongoing eruption produced an ash plume that rose to 23,000 ft (7 km) last night (Tokyo VAAC).


Shiveluch (Kamchatka): Kamchatka's most active volcano continues to produce ash plumes as well, generated by explosions at the dome as well as avalanches from it - Tokyo VAAC reported ash to 19,000 ft (5.4 km) altitude yesterday.


Zhupanovsky (Kamchatka, Russia): Intermittent explosions and ash emissions continue. Last night Tokyo VAAC reported a plume to 20,000 ft (6 km) altitude drifting west.


Chikurachki (Paramushir Island): A strong explosive eruption occurred from the volcano on Paramushir island last evening, producing an ash plume that rose to 25,000 ft (7.5 km) altitude and drifted quickly west, already more than 200 km distance. The Aviation Color Code was raised to red.

Ash plume from Chikurachki volcano this morning

Smaller ash emissions have been following, visible in a hole of clouds over the northern and central Kuriles on NASA's Terra satellite images. KVERT warns that a larger explosion, with ash plumes of 10 km or more, could occur.

After Klyuchevskoy, Shiveluch, Zhupanovsky and Karymski volcanoes on Kamchatka, it is the fith Russian volcano currently erupting in the region, posing danger to aviation.


Aso (Kyushu): No significant changes in the ongoing mild eruption have occurred over the past weeks.

Ash plume from Aso's Nakadake crater this morning

Small ash emissions from strombolian activity inside Nakadake crater are near continuous.


Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): Strombolian activity from On-take's crater continues to be on the higher end of the average scale and produces small ash plumes.

Glow from strombolian activty at Suwanose-jima volcano

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): The volcano's activity remains more or less unchanged with fluctuating levels as to the number of emissions and explosions and seismic activity.

Ash eruption from Popocatépetl last evening

After a peak in early February with up to 60 events, the recorded number of daily explosions has stabilized to about 10 during the past few days. Ash plumes rose 1-2 km above the crater. Bright glow is visible from the crater at night, indicating arriving fresh magma in the inner crater where a new lava dome is forming.

Seismic activity is low, although a peak in volcanic tremor occurred on 13 Feb with 600 minutes of weak volcanic tremor recorded.


Piton de la Fournaise (La Réunion): After 10 days of relatively stable, mild effusive lava flow activity, the eruption seems to have ended last night.

Map of the erupted lava flows as of 8 Feb (little changes since) (OVPF)

OVPF reported that tremor disappeared Sunday evening 22:30 local time. No visible activity could be seen any more afterwards.

Alert level was lowered to vigilance, but access to the Enclos remains still limited for now, in case of a sudden re-activation, which is always a possibility.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Mexico's Colima Volcano Erupts Massively - Spews 5 Kilometers-High Pillars Of Ash, Covering Towns As Far As 25 Kilometers Away! [PHOTOS + VIDEOS]

Colima Volcano.(Reuters / Bernardo de Niz)

November 22, 2014 - MEXICO - Mexican Volcano of Fire has erupted shooting an ash column 5 kilometers into the air and covering towns as far as 25 kilometers from the peak.

Mexico's federal civil defense office said that no injuries or evacuations have been reported as Colima volcano spewed hot, dry rock and gases two kilometers from the crater at about 12:24 local time.

"We recommend that people cover their nose and mouth, protect sources of potable water, and avoid dumping ash in drainage systems because it hardens with moisture," national civil protection coordinator Luis Felipe Puente told Foro television.

Colima Volcano.(Reuters / Bernardo de Niz)

Colima Volcano.(Reuters / Bernardo de Niz)

Colima Volcano.(Reuters / Bernardo de Niz)

Colima Volcano.(Reuters / Bernardo de Niz)

Colima Volcano.(Reuters / Bernardo de Niz)

For now, the situation does not present a risk to the population, however, the Interior Ministry will send a team to conduct an evaluation of the activity at the crater.

The team will be headed by the Director General of Civil Protection, Ricardo de la Cruz Musalem, and staff from the National Center for Disaster Prevention.

WATCH: Mexican Volcano of Fire spews 5km-high pillar of ash.

Ash fall is reported in the municipalities of Tonila, Zapotiltic, Jalisco, Quesería, and Colima, at distances of up to 25 kilometers from the volcano.

The 3,820-meter volcano lies 690 kilometers northwest of Mexico City, on the border of Colima and Jalisco states and is considered to be one of the most dangerous in North America. - RT.

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. 

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: The Volcano Report For June 4, 2014 - Major Updates On Ubinas, Sangeang Api, Dukono, Pavlof, Kilauea, Popocatépetl And Santiaguito! [PHOTOS+VIDEO]

June 04, 2014 - GLOBAL VOLCANISM - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of  Volcano Discovery.

Ubinas (Peru): A relatively strong explosion occurred yesterday morning at the volcano, followed by ongoing ash emissions. Overall, the activity at the volcano has been showing again an increasing trend.

Explosion at Ubinas volcano yesterday

Local media reported that people in the villages of Yunga, Lloque and Chojata, all located east of the volcano, needed to wear dusk masks.


WATCH: The ash plume was approx. 3 km high and rose to 10 km altitude, then drifted east:

 



Sangeang Api (Indonesia): Eruptive activity continues in the form of low-level ash emissions. VAAC Daarwin reported a volcanic ash plume at estimated 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude extending more than 100 km to the west.


Dukono (Halmahera): Ash plumes from strong strombolian activity continue to show up as alerts from VAAC Darwin. A plume extending 50 nautical miles to the north was seen last evening. Its height was at estimated 7,000 ft (2.1 km) altitude.


Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): After a phase of intense eruptive activity yesterday, the volcano continues to erupt lava fountains and flows, along with associated ash plumes, but has decreased its activity.

Starting around 23:00 local time yesterday evening, the effusion rate increased rapidly, lava fountaining at the summit reached 200 m height and the lava flows on the northern flank became more alimented. As a result of violent interaction between lava and ice/snow, pyroclastic flows formed and descended on the flanks. An associated ash plume rose to approx. 24,000 ft (7 km) altitude and drifted more than 70 km to the east.

Lava fountains and flows on Pavlof volcano yesterday (image: Robert Stacy / AVO)

Tremor amplitude over the past days (AVO)

Ash plume from Pavlof volcano on 2 June (image: Christopher Diaz / AVO)

Lava fountains and flows at the beginning of the eruption on 31 May (image: Paul Horn / AVO)

MODIS hot spots at Pavlov volcano (MODVOLC, Univ. Hawaii)

Today, this activity continues but at reduced pace. AVO lowered the aviation color code from RED to ORANGE: "Although the eruption of Pavlof continues, seismic tremor has deceased over the past 12 hours and has remained relatively steady throughout the day at a much lower level than that of yesterday.

Recent satellite data and web camera views of the eruption plume indicate that there are now two distinct parts of the plume. The part of the plume that reaches high above the volcano appears to be mainly steam and gas with minor ash present, extending south of the volcano. Additionally, pyroclastic flow activity on the north flank is producing diffuse ash emissions that result in areas of hazy air, with variable concentrations of ash below 10,000 ft.

Low-level winds are likely to disperse this ash to the west-southwest with no more than trace amounts accumulating. There are no reports of ash falling in nearby communities."


Kilauea (Hawai'i): This past week we have seen Kilauea tiltmeter networks record slowing DI inflationary tilt (7 microradians since May 24, see photo) while the lava lake within Halemaumau crater continued to rise sporadically and was at an estimated 34-35 m (112-115 ft) this morning. Gas emissions continued to be elevated at the summit.

Over 100 earthquakes have been recorded over the past week around various areas of Kilauea! Along the east rift zone of Kilauea, glow was observed from the north, south, southeast and northeast spatter cones within Pu'u 'O'o crater. This suggests that activity is building at this location, which has been erupting consistently since January 1983.

With the lava lake at such a high point, right now is an excellent time to view the summit eruption. When the weather is right the bright orange glow produced by this lava lake within Halemaumau crater is the brightest we have seen yet!


Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): The number of emissions of steam, gas and occasionally fine ash increased during 1-2 June. CENAPRED also recorded several episodes of weak harmonic tremor, consistent with continuing slow arrival of magma at the summit crater.

Steam and light ash emissions from Popocatépetl yesterday

At 08:08 and 08:28 local time yesterday, two medium sized exhalations occurred, which were accompanied by emissions of fine ash. This started a train of small to medium sized emissions that produced a continuous plume of gases and fine ash headed towards the WSW.


Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): Ongoing heavy rainfalls continue to trigger strong lahars, particularly through the Nimá I and San Isidro rivers.


Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for June 4, 2014.

- Volcano Discovery.