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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 17 August-23 August 2005
Name Location Eruption Start Date Report Status
Anatahan Mariana Islands (USA) Continuing
Bagana Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) 2000 Feb 28 (in or before) Continuing
Barren Island Andaman Islands (India) Continuing
Colima Mexico Continuing
Cotopaxi Ecuador Continuing
Galeras Colombia Continuing
Kilauea Hawaiian Islands (USA) Continuing
Langila New Britain (Papua New Guinea) 2015 Oct 22 (?) Continuing
Manam Northeast of New Guinea 2014 Jun 29 Continuing
Mauna Loa Hawaiian Islands (USA) Continuing
Ol Doinyo Lengai Tanzania 2017 Apr 9 Continuing
Rabaul New Britain (Papua New Guinea) Continuing
Reventador Ecuador 2008 Jul 27 Continuing
Sarigan Mariana Islands (USA) Continuing
Soufriere Hills Montserrat Continuing
St. Helens Washington Continuing
Tungurahua Ecuador Continuing
Ulawun New Britain (Papua New Guinea) Continuing
Witori New Britain (Papua New Guinea) Continuing
All times are local unless otherwise stated.
Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 19,996 individual reports over 1,215 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 Anatahan
During 17-22 August, eruptive activity continued at Anatahan with ash plumes rising to heights of ~7.9 km (26,000 ft) a.s.l. Volcanic tremor and sporadic long-period earthquakes continued to occur at the volcano.
Source: Emergency Management Office of the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands and United States Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program
Report for Bagana
During 15-21 August, volcanic activity at Bagana remained at low levels. Variable amounts of thick "white vapor" were emitted from the summit crater. During several nights, dull-to-moderately bright incandescence was visible. On the 20th, lava flowed from volcano's main crater. Incandescent lava avalanches occasionally originated from unstable areas of the lava flow.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) via the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center
Report for Barren Island
A pilot reported a plume from Barren Island on 18 August at a height of ~3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash was not visible on satellite imagery. Barren Island began erupting on 28 May.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Colima
During 17- 22 August, small explosions at Colima produced low-level ash plumes. The largest events occurred on 21 and 22 August, producing plumes that drifted W. Due to the threat of lahars forming on the volcano's flanks, Universidad de Colima advised avoiding the ravines of La Lumbre, San Antonio, Monte Grande (in Colima state), and La Arena (in Jalisco state).
Source: Centro Universitario de Estudios Vulcanológicos (CUEV) - Universidad de Colima
Report for Cotopaxi
A seismic anomaly that began at Cotopaxi in late July continued through 14 August. During this period, there was an increase in the number of long-period earthquakes in comparison to previous months. The earthquakes were less than M 3 and occurred at depths between 1 and 2 km below the volcano. Several of the earthquakes correlated with increases in the volume of fumarole emissions in the crater. No carbon dioxide was detected when measurements were made during 8-14 August.
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Report for Galeras
During 19-21 August, 30 volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded at Galeras. The earthquakes occurred 3-4 km NW of the volcano's active cone, near the towns of Santa Bárbara, Nariño, and La Florida. About five earthquakes felt by nearby populations occurred at depths of 8-6 km, with the largest (M 4.7) occurring at a depth of 6 km on 21 August. No significant deformation was observed at the volcano during the report period, and gas emission continued from the main and secondary craters.
Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)
Report for Kilauea
During 17-22 August, lava from Kilauea entered the sea at the East Lae`apuki area, and surface lava flows were sometimes visible on the Pulama Pali fault scarp and the coastal flat. By 22 August, surface lava on the W branch of the PKK lava flow was no longer visible. Background volcanic tremor was around normal levels at Kilauea's summit. Volcanic tremor was at moderate levels at Pu`u `O`o. Small periods of inflation and deflation occurred at the volcano during the report period.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Langila
RVO reported that moderate levels of volcanic activity occurred at Langila's Crater 2 during 15-21 August. The activity was marked by occasional sub-continuous forceful emissions of ash. The resultant ash clouds rose as high as 1 km above the volcano (or ~7,600 ft a.s.l.) before drifting N and NW and depositing fine ash in villages along the island's coast. On the evening of the 18th, strong projections of incandescent lava fragments were seen. During the report period, there was no activity at Crater 3 and seismicity was low at the volcano. Based on a pilot report, the Darwin VAAC reported that ash from Langila was visible on 23 August at a height between 3 and 4.6 km (10,000 and 15,000 ft) a.s.l. No ash was visible on satellite imagery.
Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
Report for Manam
According to RVO, during 15-21 August low-level volcanic activity continued at Manam. On the 15th, ash was emitted from Southern Crater. The Darwin VAAC reported that a low-level plume from Manam was visible on satellite imagery on 22 August. Manam remained at Alert Level "Stage 1," which indicates low levels of activity.
Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
Report for Mauna Loa
HVO reported on 21 August that extension across Mauna Loa's summit had resumed over the previous few weeks after pausing for much of July. Seismicity remained at low levels at the volcano.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Ol Doinyo Lengai
During a trip to Ol Doinyo Lengai by Fred Belton during 19 July to 9 August, three eruptions occurred at cone T58C on 20 and 21 July, one of which lasted 20 hours. No further eruptions were observed through 9 August. The most recent eruption prior to 20 July occurred on 9 July when large lava flows completely covered the campsite in the E part of the crater. Photos indicated that there may have been infrequent activity at the volcano at least as long ago as 15 May. No new cones had formed at the volcano since 15 July 2004 when T58C was created.
Source: Ol Doinyo Lengai (Fred Belton)
Report for Rabaul
Rabaul caldera's active Tavurvur cone continued to emit ash during 15-21 August, although there was a slight decline in the frequency of emissions in comparison to earlier weeks. Ash plumes rose 800-1,500 m above the volcano (or 4,900-7,200 ft a.s.l.) and drifted N and NW, occasionally depositing ash on the E part of Rabaul Town and in areas farther downwind. Projected incandescent lava fragments were visible at night. Seismicity was at moderate-to-high levels, with most earthquakes associated with ash emissions and explosions. Ground-deformation measurements from GPS and tide-gauge instruments fluctuated, however the general trend showed a slow rate of uplift. As a safety precaution, people were discouraged from venturing within 1 km of the erupting vent.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) via the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center
Report for Reventador
Volcanic activity continued at Reventador during 18-21 August, with ash plumes rising to a maximum height of ~5.8 km (19,000 ft) a.s.l. on 18 August. A hotspot was occasionally visible on satellite imagery during the report period.
Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Sarigan
A seismic swarm that began at Sarigan on 9 August tapered off on 18 August.
Source: Emergency Management Office of the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands and United States Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program
Report for Soufriere Hills
Volcanic and seismic activity remained at elevated levels at Soufrière Hills during 12-19 August. Periodic ash venting continued, with a vigorous episode occurring on 18 August at 1800. On 16 August, the presence of a small blocky lava dome with talus slopes was confirmed. There was some ash venting from the dome, but no significant rockfalls were seen. The daily recorded sulfur-dioxide flux averaged 570 metric tons per day (t/d), above the long-term eruption average of 500 t/d.
Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
Report for St. Helens
Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continued during 17-22 August accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. Growth of the lava dome continued to spawn rockfalls, which produced ash plumes that occasionally rose above the rim. A large rockfall on 21 August at 2056 generated a bright glow of hot rock and a thick ash plume that temporarily affected radio transmissions from instruments in the crater. St Helens remained at Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code Orange.
Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)
Report for Tungurahua
During 17-22 August, volcanic activity at Tungurahua remained at low levels with small emissions of steam, gas, and variable ash content. On 21 and 22 August, ash fell in the town of Bilbao 8 km W of the volcano.
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Report for Ulawun
Volcanic activity remained at low levels at Ulawun during 15-21 August, with steam emitted from the summit crater. Seismicity was at low levels, consisting of small low-frequency earthquakes.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) via the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center
Report for Witori
Pago was quiet during 15-21 August, with only steam emissions occurring from the upper vents of the fissure system. Seismicity was at low levels.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) via the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center