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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 25 January-31 January 2006
Name Location Eruption Start Date Report Status
Augustine Alaska Peninsula New
Barren Island Andaman Islands (India) Continuing
Galeras Colombia Continuing
Kilauea Hawaiian Islands (USA) Continuing
Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker New Britain (Papua New Guinea) Continuing
Langila New Britain (Papua New Guinea) 2015 Oct 22 (?) Continuing
Lopevi Vanuatu Continuing
Manam Northeast of New Guinea 2014 Jun 29 Continuing
Planchon-Peteroa Central Chile-Argentina Continuing
Popocatepetl Mexico 2005 Jan 9 Continuing
Rabaul New Britain (Papua New Guinea) Continuing
Soufriere Hills Montserrat Continuing
St. Helens Washington Continuing
Tungurahua Ecuador Continuing
All times are local unless otherwise stated.
Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 19,934 individual reports over 1,212 weeks (average of 16 per week) on 332 different volcanoes.

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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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Download Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network Link Download Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network Link

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 Augustine
After several days with no ash emissions and relatively low seismicity, Augustine erupted again on 27 January around 2001, with the most vigorous activity beginning around 2024. The eruption lasted about 9 minutes. AVO raised the Concern Color Code from Orange to Red, the highest level. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the ash plume produced from the eruption reached ~12.2 km (40,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. An ashfall advisory was issued by the NWS. That same day, an eruption at 2337 lasted 1 minute and produced an ash plume below 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. On 28 January at 0204 a 2-minute-long eruption began that sent ash to a height of 7.9 km (26,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. Later that day a 3-minute-long eruption began at 0742 that sent a NE-drifting ash plume to a height of 7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l.

Augustine was in a state of continuous eruption from 1430 on 28 January through 31 January. The activity was characterized by steady ash emission and small pyroclastic flows. An observation flight on 29 January revealed diffuse drifting ash clouds at a height of ~7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l. Also, ash-and-steam clouds rose from pyroclastic flows on the N flank of the volcano. Steam plumes rose from the NNE coastline, indicating that some of the pyroclastic flows had entered the sea. Satellite imagery on 31 January showed that plumes did not exceed 3.9 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l. and generally drifted N. According to a news article, Alaska Airlines cancelled flights to and from Anchorage on 30 and 31 January due to ash from Augustine in the airspace.
Sources: Aero-News.net, US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), Anchorage Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Barren Island
During 12-13 January, a team from the Geological Survey of India visited Barren Island. They reported that dense clusters of incandescent tephra of various sizes were ejected from the crater. In addition to the eruption from the main crater, the scientists saw incandescence on the N flank of the volcanic cone and thin layers of incandescent material on the W slope. In comparison to activity during the early stages of the eruption in May-June 2005, activity had diminished considerably. The Darwin VAAC reported that ash plumes emitted from Barren Island during 26-27 January rose to ~3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l.
Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Geological Survey of India
Report for Galeras
During 23-30 January, a lava dome continued to grow in the main crater of Galeras, and strong degassing occurred in several areas of the active cone and around the dome. Seismicity continued that was associated with the movement of fluid within the volcano, and slight deformation was recorded. Galeras remained at Alert Level 3 ("changes in the behavior of volcanic activity have been noted").
Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)
Report for Kilauea
During 30-31 January, lava from Kilauea continued to enter the sea at the East Lae`apuki area, building a new lava delta. Surface lava flows were visible on the Pulama pali fault scarp. On 31 January, the lava delta was 615 m long and 140 m wide. Background volcanic tremor was near normal levels at Kilauea's summit, with numerous shallow earthquakes occurring at the summit and upper E rift zone during several days. Volcanic tremor reached moderate levels at Pu`u `O`o.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker
During 1-15 January, the two vents at the summit of Garbuna emitted small-to-moderate volumes of gas. There were no other unusual observations. Seismicity was low and dominated by occasional low-frequency earthquakes.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) via the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center
Report for Langila
A slight increase in vulcanian activity occurred at Langila's Crater 2 during 1-15 January. The increase was characterized by nearly continuous ash emissions that rose to 1-2 km above the summit (or 7,650-10,900 ft a.s.l.) and drifted WSW. Occasionally during the report period observers noted loud noises, incandescence, and weak emissions of glowing lava fragments.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) via the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center
Report for Lopevi
Following reports of plumes from Lopevi reaching heights of ~2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. on 24 and 25 January, the Wellington VAAC reported that plumes of "smoke" rose to ~2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. on 26 January and drifted S. They also reported that lava flowed down the S flank of the volcano on the 26th.
Source: Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Manam
Mild eruptive activity occurred at Manam during 1-15 January, with occasional ash emissions during 1-4 January. Dull incandescence was visible on 1 and 2 January. Gas was emitted from Southern Crater during 1-7 January. Seismicity was at low levels during the report period. The Alert Level remained at 1, which reflected low activity.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) via the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center
Report for Planchon-Peteroa
The Buenos Aires VAAC reported that based on SIGMETs, increased fumarolic activity occurred at Planchón-Peteroa and Cerro Azul beginning on 26 January. Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería clarified that intense fumarolic activity only occurred at Planchón-Petero around 25 January. Increased fumarolic activity is normal during the summer when snow melts in the crater and more steam is produced.
Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN), Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Popocatepetl
During 24-30 January, several emissions of gas, steam, and small amounts of ash occurred at Popocatépetl. A moderate explosion on 26 December at 0957 produced an ash plume to ~3 km (9,850 ft) a.s.l. that drifted NE.
Sources: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Rabaul
Ash emissions from Rabaul caldera's active Tavurvur cone on 10,11,12, and 15 January rose over 1.5 km above the volcano's summit and drifted E. Seismicity was at low levels during 1-15 January.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) via the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center
Report for Soufriere Hills
Activity at Soufrière Hills remained elevated during 20-27 January. Images taken by a remote camera showed that the lava dome continued to grow over a broad sector extending from the SW around to the NE. On 22 January, two new fin-like structures (relatively thin, vertical planar spines) were seen on the southeastern flank of the lava dome. Numerous small rockfalls were observed falling from the S, E, and NE flanks of the dome, adding to the talus in the upper reaches of the Tar River valley. Helicopter observations indicated continued dome growth, particularly in the SE.
Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
Report for St. Helens
Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continued during 24-31 January, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. On 24 January a shallow M 2.7 earthquake triggered a rockfall from the new lava dome, generating an ash plume that filled the crater before dissipating and drifting N over the pumice plain. Initial analysis of recent photographs from fixed cameras in the crater showed that the top of the currently active part of the new lava dome was at an elevation of ~2,240 m a.s.l., which is about 90 meters higher than it was in early November 2005. 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 25-31 January, volcanic activity at Tungurahua remained at low levels with small emissions of steam and gas, with low ash content. On the 25th light rain caused lahars to flow in the NW sector of the volcano. The lahars descended a gorge from the village of Juive, causing the closure of the Banos-Penipe highway. Around the 28th, ash fell in the village of Puela. On the 31st, a steam-and-ash plume rose ~1 km above the volcano (or 19,750 ft a.s.l.) and drifted W. A small lahar traveled in the sector of Pampas, closing a road in the area for 2 hours.
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)