Activity for the week of 13 December-19 December 2006
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, notices of volcanic activity posted on these pages are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail. This is not a comprehensive list of all of Earth's volcanoes erupting during the week, but rather a summary of activity at volcanoes that meet criteria discussed in detail in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section. Carefully reviewed, detailed reports on various volcanoes are published monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.
New Activity / Unrest
Klyuchevskoy
| Central Kamchatka (Russia)
| 56.056°N, 160.642°E
| Elevation 4754 m
On 19 December, KVERT reported that the Level of Concern Color Code for Kliuchevskoi was raised from Green to Yellow due to a slight increase in seismicity above background levels. Moderate fumarolic activity was noted from the crater. A thermal anomaly in the crater was detected on satellite imagery on 14, 15, and 18 December.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Sheveluch
| Central Kamchatka (Russia)
| 56.653°N, 161.36°E
| Elevation 3283 m
According to observations and video data, KVERT reported that ash plumes from Shiveluch rose to 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and ESE on 8 and 12 December, respectively. Based on satellite imagery, ash plumes rose to altitudes of 6-7.5 km (19,700-24,600 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and NE during 8-15 December. Seismic activity was generally at background levels. The Tokyo VAAC and KVERT reported that ash plumes rose to altitudes of 7.6-10 km (25,000-32,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and NW on 16 and 17 December.
Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Soputan
| Sulawesi (Indonesia)
| 1.112°N, 124.737°E
| Elevation 1785 m
According to CVGHM, seismic signals from rockfalls increased at Soputan during 11-13 December. On 14 December, ash clouds rose to an altitude of 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. and ash fell within a 15 km radius of the peak. The emissions were accompanied by thunderous noises that were heard 8 km from the peak. On 15 December the Alert Level was raised from 2 to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) due to this increase in activity.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Ongoing Activity
Aira
| Kyushu (Japan)
| 31.593°N, 130.657°E
| Elevation 1117 m
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported an explosion from Sakura-jima on 13 December.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Bulusan
| Luzon (Philippines)
| 12.769°N, 124.056°E
| Elevation 1535 m
According to new articles, Bulusan emitted ash that was accompanied by rumbling noises and lightning flashes on 20 December. Clouds hindered a view of the summit. Ash deposits up to 4 mm thick were noted in several villages at the foothills.
Source: Associated Press
Colima
| Mexico
| 19.514°N, 103.62°W
| Elevation 3850 m
Based on satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported that continuous ash-and-steam emissions from Colima produced a plume that drifted SE and W on 15 December.
Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Etna
| Sicily (Italy)
| 37.748°N, 14.999°E
| Elevation 3295 m
Based on increased volcanic tremor, INGV reported that weak Strombolian activity and emissions of lava and ash from the SE Crater of Etna occurred on 6 December. Later that day, seismicity dropped and explosive activity stopped. On 11 December, INGV monitoring cameras recorded Strombolian activity that resumed from a pit on the SE Crater, following a weak increase of seismicity. Lava was emitted continuously from the E flank of the SE Crater since 13 October. Lava also flowed from a vent at 2800 m elevation on the W headwall of the Valle del Bove. The eruption and lava flows from the 2800-m vent finished on 15 December. The Toulouse VAAC reported that a diffuse plume possibly containing ash was intermittently visible from a webcam on 13 December, drifting E.
Sources: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV), Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Home Reef
| Tonga Islands
| 18.992°S, 174.775°W
| Elevation -10 m
Observers from a Royal New Zealand Airforce aircraft reported venting and a sulphur smell from Home Reef on 8 December. The island was about 450 m in diameter, circular in shape, and rose to a height of 73 m (240 ft) a.s.l. The water around the island was cloudy with sediment.
Source: GeoNet
Karymsky
| Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)
| 54.049°N, 159.443°E
| Elevation 1513 m
Seismic data from Karymsky were not available during 8-15 December. Ash plumes were observed drifting in all directions during the reporting period. A thermal anomaly in the crater was detected on satellite imagery during 8-12 December. Pilots reported that an ash plume rose to an altitude of 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E on 17 December. Based on satellite data, the Tokyo VAAC reported that an ash plume rose to an altitude of 8.2 km (27,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange.
Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Kilauea
| Hawaiian Islands (USA)
| 19.421°N, 155.287°W
| Elevation 1222 m
During 13-19 December, lava from Kilauea continued to flow off of a lava delta into the ocean at the East Lae'apuki and East Ka'ili'ili entries. Incandescence on the pali was visible during the reporting period. Rare surface activity on the flow field was observed on 13 December. Incandescence was intermittently visible from the East Pond and January vents, South Wall complex, and Drainhole vent in Pu'u 'O'o's crater. Tremor near Pu`u `O`o continued at moderate levels.
According to a news article, a three-year-long inflationary trend of Kilauea's summit and E and SW rift zones ceased in early October. Since the current on-going eruption began in 1983, a total of three such events have occurred.
Sources: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), Honolulu Advertiser
Manam
| Papua New Guinea
| 4.08°S, 145.037°E
| Elevation 1807 m
Based on satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that diffuse plumes from Manam drifted mainly W during 13-15 December.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Piton de la Fournaise
| Reunion Island (France)
| 21.244°S, 55.708°E
| Elevation 2632 m
OVPDLF reported that the eruption of Piton de la Fournaise that began on 30 August continued during 13-19 December. Lava flows covered the entire Dolomieu crater floor to a thickness of 10-30 m and spilled over the E rim of the crater, producing flows 100-200 m in length. A lava tube formed from a 27 November overflow of the Dolomieu crater drained lava on the E flank that traveled 2.5 km, S of crater Jean.
Source: Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF)
Popocatepetl
| Mexico
| 19.023°N, 98.622°W
| Elevation 5393 m
Based on information from the Mexico City MWO and satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported that an ash plume from Popocatépetl rose to an altitude of 6.7 km (22,000 ft) a.s.l. on 18 December.
Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Rabaul
| New Britain (Papua New Guinea)
| 4.271°S, 152.203°E
| Elevation 688 m
Based on satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that diffuse plumes from Rabaul drifted mainly N and E during 15-17 December.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Soufriere Hills
| Montserrat
| 16.72°N, 62.18°W
| Elevation 915 m
During 8-15 December, moderate lava-dome growth at Soufrière Hills continued and was focused on the SW part of the dome. Most of the dome surface in a sector from the S to the NW was below 100°C based on thermal images and moisture along with sulfur deposits accumulated along the SE edge. The dome overtopped the NE crater wall and fresh rock and boulder deposits were observed in that region.
Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
St. Helens
| United States
| 46.2°N, 122.18°W
| Elevation 2549 m
Data from deformation-monitoring instruments showed that during 13-19 December the lava dome at Mount St. Helens continued to grow. Seismicity continued at low levels, punctuated by M 1.5-2.5 and occasionally larger earthquakes. Observations were hindered due to inclement weather during most of the reporting period, but on 18 December, a steam plume rose several hundred meters above the rim and was visible from the Portland area, about 80 km away.
Sources: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO), Associated Press
Tungurahua
| Ecuador
| 1.467°S, 78.442°W
| Elevation 5023 m
IG reported that during 13-19 December seismic activity from Tungurahua was minimal in intensity and duration. Steam plumes with possible light-ash content reached an altitude of 8 km (26,000 ft) a.s.l. on 13 December and between 5.8-6 km (19,000-19,700 ft) a.s.l. during 14-17 and 19 December. The plumes drifted in multiple directions. On 14 December, a lahar traveled SW down the Mapayacu gorge.
Sources: Instituto GeofÃsico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
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 monthly, and 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.
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