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Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

Weekly Volcanic Activity Map

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 2300 UTC every Wednesday and averaging 16 reported volcanoes, this is not a comprehensive list of all eruptions this week, but rather a summary of activity that meet criteria discussed in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section below.

Volcanic activity reported here is preliminary and subject to change. Carefully reviewed, detailed narratives over longer time periods are published as reports of the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network available through volcano profile pages.

Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for the week of 2 March-8 March 2005
Name Location Eruption Start Date Report Status
St. Helens Washington New
Atka Volcanic Complex Andreanof Islands (USA) Continuing
Egon Flores Island Continuing
Fuego South-Central Guatemala 2002 Jan 4 Continuing
Kilauea Hawaiian Islands (USA) Continuing
Klyuchevskoy Central Kamchatka (Russia) 2023 Jun 22 Continuing
Pacaya South-Central Guatemala Continuing
Popocatepetl Mexico 2005 Jan 9 Continuing
Rabaul New Britain (Papua New Guinea) Continuing
Santa Maria Southwestern Guatemala 1922 Jun 22 Continuing
Sheveluch Central Kamchatka (Russia) 1999 Aug 15 Continuing
Soufriere Hills Montserrat Continuing
Spurr Alaska Peninsula Continuing
Suwanosejima Ryukyu Islands (Japan) 2004 Oct 23 Continuing
Tungurahua Ecuador Continuing
Veniaminof Alaska Peninsula, Alaska Continuing
All times are local unless otherwise stated.
Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 19,893 individual reports over 1,210 weeks (average of 16 per week) on 332 different volcanoes.

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Use the dropdowns to choose the year and week for archived Weekly Reports.

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Agung Cuicocha Iliwerung Llaima Popocatepetl Sumbing
Ahyi Cumbal Inielika Lokon-Empung Purace Sundoro
Aira Dabbahu Ioto Lonquimay Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Suretamatai
Akan Davidof Irazu Lopevi Rabaul Suwanosejima
Alaid Dempo Iya Machin Raikoke Taal
Alu-Dalafilla Descabezado Grande Izu-Torishima Makushin Ranakah Tair, Jebel at
Ambae Dieng Volcanic Complex Jackson Segment Maly Semyachik Raoul Island Takawangha
Ambang Dukono Kaba Manam Rasshua Talang
Ambrym East Epi Kadovar Manda Hararo Raung Tambora
Anatahan Ebeko Kaitoku Seamount Marapi Redoubt Tanaga
Aniakchak Ebulobo Kama'ehuakanaloa Maroa Reventador Tandikat-Singgalang
Antillanca Volcanic Complex Edgecumbe Kambalny Martin Reykjanes Tangkoko-Duasudara
Antuco Egon Kanaga Masaya Rincon de la Vieja Tangkuban Parahu
Apoyeque Ekarma Kanlaon Maule, Laguna del Rinjani Tara, Batu
Arenal Eldey Karangetang Mauna Loa Ritter Island Ta'u
Asamayama Erebus Karkar Mayon Rotorua Taupo
Askja Erta Ale Karthala McDonald Islands Ruang Telica
Asosan Etna Karymsky Melebingoy Ruapehu Tenerife
Atka Volcanic Complex Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group] Kasatochi Melimoyu Ruby Tengger Caldera
Augustine Eyjafjallajokull Katla Merapi Ruiz, Nevado del Three Sisters
Avachinsky Fagradalsfjall Katmai Midagahara Sabancaya Tinakula
Awu Fernandina Kavachi Misti, El Sakar Tofua
Axial Seamount Fogo Kelimutu Miyakejima Salak Tokachidake
Azul, Cerro Fonualei Kelud Momotombo San Cristobal Tolbachik
Azumayama Fournaise, Piton de la Kerinci Monowai San Miguel Toliman
Bagana Fourpeaked Ketoi Montagu Island San Vicente Tongariro
Balbi Fuego Kharimkotan Moyorodake [Medvezhia] Sangay Trident
Bamus Fujisan Kick 'em Jenny Mutnovsky Sangeang Api Tungurahua
Banda Api Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba Kie Besi Myojinsho Santa Ana Turrialba
Bardarbunga Galeras Kikai Nabro Santa Maria Ubinas
Barren Island Galunggung Kilauea Negra, Sierra Sao Jorge Ugashik-Peulik
Batur Gamalama Kirishimayama Negro, Cerro Sarigan Ukinrek Maars
Bezymianny Gamkonora Kita-Ioto Nightingale Island Sarychev Peak Ulawun
Bogoslof Gareloi Kizimen Nishinoshima Saunders Unnamed
Brava Gaua Klyuchevskoy Nisyros Savo Unnamed
Bristol Island Gorely Kolokol Group Novarupta Semeru Veniaminof
Bulusan Great Sitkin Koryaksky NW Rota-1 Semisopochnoi Villarrica
Calbuco Grimsvotn Krakatau Nyamulagira Seulawah Agam Vulcano
Callaqui Guagua Pichincha Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker Nyiragongo Sheveluch West Mata
Cameroon Guallatiri Krysuvik-Trolladyngja Ofu-Olosega Shishaldin Westdahl
Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia Guntur Kuchinoerabujima Okataina Simbo Whakaari/White Island
Cayambe Hachijojima Kurikomayama Okmok Sinabung Witori
Chachadake [Tiatia] Hakoneyama Kusatsu-Shiranesan Ontakesan Sinarka Wolf
Chaiten Heard Kverkfjoll Oraefajokull Siple Wrangell
Chiginagak Hekla La Palma Osorno Sirung Yakedake
Chikurachki Helgrindur Lamington Pacaya Slamet Yasur
Chiles-Cerro Negro Hierro Lamongan Pagan Snaefellsjokull Yufu-Tsurumi
Chillan, Nevados de Hokkaido-Komagatake Langila Palena Volcanic Group Soputan Zaozan [Zaosan]
Chirinkotan Home Reef Lanin Paluweh Sorikmarapi Zavodovski
Chirpoi Hood Lascar Panarea Sotara Zhupanovsky
Ciremai Huaynaputina Late Papandayan Soufriere Hills Zubair Group
Cleveland Hudson, Cerro Lateiki Pavlof Soufriere St. Vincent
Colima Huila, Nevado del Lengai, Ol Doinyo Pelee South Sarigan Seamount
Colo Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Leroboleng Peuet Sague Spurr
Concepcion Ibu Lewotobi Pinatubo St. Helens
Copahue Ijen Lewotolok Planchon-Peteroa Stromboli
Cotopaxi Iliamna Little Sitkin Poas Sulu Range
 News Feeds and Google Placemarks


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The RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed is identical to the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report minus some features including the header information (latitude and longitude and summit elevation), the Geologic Summary, and a link to the volcano's page from the Global Volcanism Program. At the end of each report is a list of the sources used. Each volcano report includes a link from the volcano's name back to the more complete information in the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report on the Smithsonian website. This feature was first made available on 5 March 2008.



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A Google Earth network link for the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report can be loaded into the free Google Earth software, and in turn will load placemarks for volcanoes in the current weekly report. Placemark balloons include the volcano name, report date, report text, sources, and links back to the GVP volcano profile page and to the complete Weekly Report for that week. This feature was first made available on 1 April 2009.

 Criteria & Disclaimers

Criteria



The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report does not necessarily include all volcanic activity that occurred on Earth during the week. More than a dozen volcanoes globally have displayed more-or-less continuous eruptive activity for decades or longer, and such routine activity is typically not reported here. Moreover, Earth's sea-floor volcanism is seldom reported even though in theory it represents the single most prolific source of erupted material. The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report summarizes volcanic activity that meets one or more of the following criteria:

- A volcano observatory raises or lowers the alert level at the volcano.
- A volcanic ash advisory has been released by a volcanic ash advisory center (VAAC) stating that an ash cloud has been produced from the volcano.
- A verifiable news report of new activity or a change in activity at the volcano has been issued.
- Observers have reported a significant change in volcanic activity. Such activity can include, but is not restricted to, pyroclastic flows, lahars, lava flows, dome collapse, or increased unrest.

Volcanoes are included in the "New Activity/Unrest" section of the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report if the activity occurs after at least 3 months of quiescence. Once a volcano is included in the "New Activity/Unrest" section, updates will remain in that section unless the activity continues for more than 1 month without escalating, after which time updates will be listed in the "Continuing Activity" section. Volcanoes are also included in the "New Activity/Unrest" section if the volcano is undergoing a period of relatively high unrest, or increasing unrest. This is commonly equal to Alert Level Orange on a scale of Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, where Red is the highest alert. Or alert level 3 on a scale of 1-4 or 1-5.

It is important to note that volcanic activity meeting one or more of these criteria may occur during the week, but may not be included in the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report because we did not receive a report.

Disclaimers



1. The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is intended to provide timely information about global volcanism on a weekly basis. Consequently, the report is generated rapidly by summarizing volcanic reports from various sources, with little time for fact checking. The accuracy of the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is dependent upon the quality of the volcanic activity reports we receive. Reports published in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network are cover longer time periods and are more carefully reviewed, although all of the volcanoes discussed in the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report are not necessarily reported in the Bulletin. Because of our emphasis on rapid reporting on the web we have avoided diacritical marks. Reports are updated on the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report web page as they are received, therefore information may be included regarding events that occurred before the current report period.

2. Rapidly developing events lead to coverage that is often fragmentary. Volcanoes, their eruptions, and their plumes and associated atmospheric effects are complex phenomena that may require months to years of data analysis in order to create a comprehensive summary and interpretation of events.

3. Preliminary accounts sometimes contain exaggerations and "false alarms," and accordingly, this report may include some events ultimately found to be erroneous or misleading.

4. Many news agencies do not archive the articles they post on the Internet, and therefore the links to some sources may not be active. To obtain information about the cited articles that are no longer available on the Internet contact the source.

5. USGS Disclaimer Statement for this Website:

Information presented on this website is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credit is requested. We strongly recommend that USGS data be acquired directly from a USGS server and not through other sources that may change the data in some way. While USGS makes every effort to provide accurate and complete information, various data such as names, telephone numbers, etc. may change prior to updating. USGS welcomes suggestions on how to improve our home page and correct errors. USGS provides no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of furnished data.

Some of the documents on this server may contain live references (or pointers) to information created and maintained by other organizations. Please note that USGS does not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of these outside materials.

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this government computer system employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this website are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act. Information may also be used for authorized law enforcement investigations. (Last modified September 21, 1999.)

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, USA
URL: https://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm

 Acronyms and Abbreviations

a.s.l. - above sea level

AVO - Alaska Volcano Observatory

AVHRR - Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer

CENAPRED - Centro Nacionale de Prevencion de Desastres (México)

CONRED - Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres

COSPEC - Correlation Spectrometer

CVGHM (formerly VSI) - Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation

CVO - Cascades Volcano Observatory (USGS)

GMS - Geostationary Meteorological Satellite

GOES - Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

GVO - Goma Volcano Observatory

GVP - Global Volcanism Program (Smithsonian Institution)

HVO - Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS)

ICE - Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (Costa Rica)

IG - Instituto Geofísico (Ecuador)

IGNS - Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (New Zealand) - now GNS Science

INETER - Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (Nicaragua)

INGEMMET - Instituto Geológical Minero y Metalúrgico (Peru)

INGEOMINAS - Instituto Colombiano de Geología y Minería (Colombia)

INGV-CT - Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia - Sezione di Catania (Italy)

INSIVUMEH - Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia e Hidrologia (Guatemala)

IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (France)

JMA - Japanese Meteorological Agency

KEMSD - Kamchatkan Experimental and Methodical Seismilogical Department

KVERT - Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team

M - magnitude

METEOSAT - Meteorological Satellite

MEVO - Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory

MODIS - Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

MVO - Montserrat Volcano Observatory

MWO - Meteorological Watch Office

NEIC - National Earthquake Information Center

NIED - National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (Japan)

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOTAM - Notice to Airmen

OVDAS - Observatorio Volcanologico de los Andes del Sur (Chile)

OFDA - Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance

ONEMI - Oficina Nacional de Emergencia - Ministerio del Interior (Chile)

OVPDLF - Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (France)

OVSICORI-UNA - Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (Costa Rica)

PHIVOLCS - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philippines)

RSAM - Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement

RVO - Rabaul Volcano Observatory

SERNAGEOMIN - Servicio Nacional de Geologia y Mineria (Chile)

SIGMET - Significant Meteorological Information

SNET - Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (El Salvador)

SVERT - Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (Russia)

USAID - US Agency for International Development

USGS - United States Geological Survey

UTC - Coordinated Universal Time

VAAC - Volcanic Ash Advisory Center

VAFTAD - Volcanic Ash Forecast Transport And Dispersion

VDAP - Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (USGS)

VHP - Volcano Hazards Program (USGS)

VRC - Volcano Research Center (Japan)

Report for St. Helens
A small explosive event began at St. Helens at approximately 1725 on 8 March. Pilot reports indicated that the resulting steam-and-ash plume reached a height of about 11 km a.s.l. within a few minutes and drifted downwind ENE. The principal event lasted about 30 minutes with intensity gradually declining throughout. There were no reports of deaths or injuries. This was one of the largest steam-and-ash emissions to occur since renewed activity began at St. Helens in October 2004. CVO lost radio signals from three monitoring stations in the crater soon after the event started. The event followed a few hours of slightly increased seismic activity that was noted, but was not interpreted as precursory. There were no other indications of an imminent change in activity.

Prior to the explosion, during 2-7 March, growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of St. Helens continued, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. Seismic data indicated that parts of the growing lava dome continued to crumble, forming rockfalls and generating small ash clouds that drifted out of the crater. The bulging ice on the deformed E arm of the glacier in the volcano's crater continued to rapidly move northward about 1.2 m per day.

CVO stated that the current hazard assessment for the ongoing eruption mentions the possibility of events like the 8 March explosion occurring without warning, and the assessment remained unchanged. The eruption could intensify suddenly and with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.
Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)
Report for Atka Volcanic Complex
AVO did not receive reports of activity at Korovin volcano after the original report of ash-and-steam emissions on 24 February. During 25 February to 4 March, cloud cover prohibited satellite views of the volcano and no unusual seismicity was registered. Korovin is not monitored by a standard AVO seismic network. Therefore, AVO did not assign a Concern Color Code to the volcano during the report period.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Report for Egon
The Darwin VAAC reported that DVGHM reduced the Alert Level at Egon to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) around 8 March. Ash was not visible on satellite imagery during 2-8 March.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Fuego
During 2-8 March, several explosions at Fuego produced plumes to a maximum height of 1 km above the volcano. Some explosions were accompanied by avalanches of volcanic material that traveled towards the Taniluyá (to the SW) and Santa Teresa ravines. Around 4 March, a lava flow traveled ~200 m down Fuego's SW flank. Blocks of lava spalled from the front of the lava flow.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Kilauea
During 3-7 March, lava from Kilauea continued to enter the ocean at the Ka`ili`ili and East Lae`apuki ocean entries; there were no signs of activity at the West Highcastle entry. Surface lava flows were visible on the Pulami pali fault scarp and the coastal flat. Small earthquakes occurred at Kilauea's summit, and no tremor was recorded. Tremor remained at moderate levels at Pu`u `O`o.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Klyuchevskoy
Moderate seismic and volcanic activity continued at Kliuchevskoi during 24 February to 4 March. On 24 February a lava flow continued to travel down the Krestovsky channel on the volcano's NW flank. Strombolian activity occurred during the report period, with plumes rising to ~1 km above the volcano. Ash fell in the village of Icha on 26 February, and in Kozyrevsk on 1 March. Ash plumes were visible on satellite imagery on several days. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Pacaya
During 2-8 March, lava flows from Pacaya traveled as far as 200 m down the volcano's SW flank.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Popocatepetl
Based on information from the Mexico City MWO, the Washington VAAC reported that an ash emission from Popocatépetl around 0151 on 5 March rose to a height of ~7.3 km a.s.l.
Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Rabaul
Low-level eruptions continued at Rabaul caldera's active vent at Tavurvur cone during 2-8 March. According to the Darwin VAAC, monsoonal low-level NW winds were expected to continue to blow ash towards Tokua airport.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Santa Maria
During 2-8 March, several weak-to-moderate explosions at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex produced ash plumes to a maximum height of ~1.2 km above the dome. Avalanches of volcanic blocks traveled down the E and SW flanks of Caliente Dome.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Sheveluch
Explosions at Shiveluch during 25 February to 4 March deposited ash in Ust'-Hairyuzovo village on 27 and 28 February, and 2 March. The seismic station at Shiveluch stopped working on 27 February. According to visual and video data, part of a large pyroclastic flow was observed on the SW flank of the volcano on 2 March. Shiveluch remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Soufriere Hills
MVO reported that during 25 February to 4 March, seismic activity at Soufrière Hills remained at low levels. The sulfur-dioxide flux remained fairly stable, averaging 672 metric tons per day. FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) measurements on 3 March yielded a hydrogen chloride to sulphur dioxide mass ratio of 0.35, showing no significant change since the last measurement in February. Views of the entire summit on 3 March revealed that there were no surficial changes at the volcano. There was still a small pond in the 3 March 2004 explosion pit.

A news article reported that hazy skies over St. Martin (NE of Soufrière Hills) and the surrounding islands on 6 March were the result of increased activity at Soufriere Hills. Several people in the eastern section of St. Martin reported a thin film of "dust" on their homes and vehicles. According to the Washington VAAC, a very faint area of possible ash was visible on satellite imagery on 6 March extending NE.
Sources: The Daily Herald, Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
Report for Spurr
Elevated levels of seismicity continued to be recorded at Mt. Spurr during 25 February to 4 March. No activity was observed in satellite and web-camera images. AVO staff observed that the "ice cauldron" at the volcano (a collapse feature in the ice possibly caused by increased volcanic heat) had continued to grow since its first sighting in August 2004. Continued heat flux was indicated by vigorously upwelling water in the "melt pit lake" (the nearly ice free lake at the bottom of the "ice cauldron"), rapid melting of ice and snow that had fallen into the melt pit lake, and minor steaming from rock surfaces and small melt pits in the vicinity of the summit dome and Crater Peak cone, 3 km S of Spurr's summit. According to AVO, both Spurr and Crater Peak were emitting volcanic gases, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide, which may be hazardous to recreational visitors. Mt. Spurr remained at Concern Color Code Yellow.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Report for Suwanosejima
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that emissions from Suwanose-jima on 6 and 8 March produced ash plumes that rose to 1.5 and 1.2 km a.s.l., respectively.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Tungurahua
Volcanic and seismic activity were at relatively low levels at Tungurahua during 3-7 March. Low-energy gas, steam, and ash plumes were emitted. In addition, long-period earthquakes and episodes of tremor were recorded.
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Report for Veniaminof
A reduction in activity at Veniaminof during 25 February to 4 March led AVO to reduce the Concern Color Code from Yellow to Green, the lowest level. For more than a week seismic activity was at background levels, periods of volcanic tremor had ceased, and there were no discrete events associated with ash bursts. Only minor emissions of steam were observed on the web camera and satellite imagery. AVO received no reports of ash emissions from pilots or observers on the ground. They concluded that given the decline in seismicity it appeared that the most recent episode of eruptive activity had ended at Veniaminof.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)