Activity for the week of 20 March-26 March 2013
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
Fuego
| Guatemala
| 14.473°N, 90.88°W
| Elevation 3763 m
In a special notice on 20 March, INSIVUMEH reported that lava fountains rising 300-400 m above Fuego's crater during the night had decreased along with seismicity and rumbling noises. A lava flow was 1.5 km long in the Ceniza drainage (SSW), and ash plumes drifted SE and S. Explosions during 20-21 and 25-26 March generated ash plumes that rose 0.6-1.2 km and drifted SE, S, and W. Incandescent material was ejected from the crater. Lava flows remained active in the Ceniza drainage and traveled 600 m SW down the Taniluya drainage. Explosions produced ash plumes that rose 400-800 m above the crater and drifted E and W during 21-22 March, rose 300-500 m and drifted 5 km W and NW during 23-24 March, and rose 450 m and drifted W and NW during 24-26 March, which caused ashfall in Panimache I and II (8 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), and Hagia Sophia.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Hekla
| Iceland
| 63.983°N, 19.666°W
| Elevation 1490 m
The Icelandic Meteorological Office noted that since 10 March, at least seven micro-earthquakes at Hekla, ranging in size from M 0.4 to 1, had been detected within a small area about 4.5 km NE of the summit, at depths of 11-12 km. These earthquakes were high-frequency, suggestive of brittle fracturing rather than magma movement. At Hekla, such a clustering of earthquakes is unusual in between eruptions. Continuous measurements of borehole strain and ground-based GPS showed no changes in crustal deformation.
On 26 March the Icelandic Meteorological Office increased the Aviation Colour Code from Green to Yellow, because of the increased seismic activity. Icelandic Civil Defense together with the Police in Hvolsvöllur had also declared a level of uncertainty for Hekla, although there were no observable signs that an eruption of Hekla was imminent.
Sources: Icelandic Met Office (IMO), Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV)
Tungurahua
| Ecuador
| 1.467°S, 78.442°W
| Elevation 5023 m
IG reported that during 18-20 March seismicity at Tungurahua was high. Although cloud cover often prevented observations, steam-and-ash plumes were observed rising as high as 1 km above the crater. Slight ashfall was reported in Riobamba (30 km S) on 18 March. Seismicity declined on 21 March and continued to trend downward during 22-26 March. A small lahar descended the Chontapamba drainage (W) on 21 March. Steam plumes drifted W on 22 March, and were again observed during 25-26 March. A plume with low ash content rose 1 km above the crater on 24 March and drifted N. Slight roaring was reported from El Manzano (8 km SW).
Source: Instituto GeofÃsico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG)
Ongoing Activity
Aira
| Kyushu (Japan)
| 31.593°N, 130.657°E
| Elevation 1117 m
JMA reported that during 18-22 March nine explosions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater were detected and ejected tephra fell at most 1.3 km from the crater.
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that explosions during 20-22 and 25 March generated ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.4 km (5,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, and SE. A pilot observed an ash plume that drifted E at an altitude of 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. on 20 March.
Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Bagana
| Bougainville (Papua New Guinea)
| 6.137°S, 155.196°E
| Elevation 1855 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 25-26 March ash plumes from Bagana rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 45-55 km E.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Batu Tara
| Komba Island (Indonesia)
| 7.791°S, 123.585°E
| Elevation 633 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) reported that on 20 March ash plumes from Batu Tara drifted 110 km NW. During 21-26 March ash plumes rose to altitudes of 2.1-3 km (7,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 35-95 km SW, W, N, NW, and NE.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Karymsky
| Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)
| 54.049°N, 159.443°E
| Elevation 1513 m
KVERT reported that weak-to-moderate seismic activity at Karymsky was detected during 15-22 March. Satellite data showed a weak thermal anomaly on the volcano on 18 March. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kilauea
| Hawaiian Islands (USA)
| 19.421°N, 155.287°W
| Elevation 1222 m
During 20-26 March HVO reported that the circulating lava lake periodically rose and fell in the deep pit within Kilauea's Halema'uma'u Crater. The plume from the vent continued to deposit variable amounts of ash, spatter, and Pele's hair onto nearby areas.
At Pu'u 'O'o Crater, glow emanated from four spatter cones on the crater floor. Lava flowed from the cone on the NE edge of the crater on 23 March, the first lava activity in the crater in a month. Two lava flows (Peace Day and Kahauale'a) were fed by lava tubes extending from Pu'u 'O'o. Multiple lava flows from the NE spatter cone, collectively called the Kahauale'a flow, traveled across the NE flank of Pu'u 'O'o cone to the cone's base and advanced more than 4.4 km NE over older flows. A branch also traveled S, just S of Pu'u Kahauale'a. Peace Day activity consisted of lava flows active above the pali (5 km SE of Pu'u 'O'o), on the pali, and on the coastal plain. Lava also entered the ocean at two main locations spanning the National Park boundary.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Kizimen
| Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)
| 55.131°N, 160.32°E
| Elevation 2334 m
KVERT reported that during 15-22 March moderate seismic activity continued at Kizimen. Video and satellite data showed that lava continued to extrude from the summit, producing summit incandescence, strong gas-and-steam activity, and hot avalanches on the W and E flanks. Satellite images detected a thermal anomaly over the volcano during 15-18 and 21 March. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Lokon-Empung
| Sulawesi (Indonesia)
| 1.358°N, 124.792°E
| Elevation 1580 m
According to a news article, an eruption from Lokon-Empung occurred on 20 March at 0757, producing an ash plume that rose 2 km above the crater.
Source: newKerala.com
Paluweh
| Indonesia
| 8.32°S, 121.708°E
| Elevation 875 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 19-21 and 24-26 March ash plumes from Paluweh rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 55-335 km SW, WSW, W, NW, and NE.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Popocatepetl
| Mexico
| 19.023°N, 98.622°W
| Elevation 5393 m
CENAPRED reported that during 19-26 March seismicity at Popocatépetl indicated continuing gas-and-steam emissions that contained ash on most days. Incandescence from the crater was observed at night and increased in conjunction with emissions. During 19-20 March incandescent fragments were ejected 50 m from the crater and landed on the E flank. An explosion on 24 March ejected incandescent fragments 500 m away from the crater that again landed on the E flank. An ash plume rose 1.5 km and drifted E, causing ashfall in villages downwind. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.
Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Santa Maria
| Guatemala
| 14.757°N, 91.552°W
| Elevation 3745 m
INSIVUMEH reported that during 13-19 March explosions from Santa MarÃa's Santiaguito lava-dome complex produced ash plumes that rose as high as 4 km and drifted NE, E, S, SW, and W. Explosions were heard during 25-26 March. Avalanches from lava-flow fronts traveled down the flanks, and incandescence in the crater was observed on some nights. Ashfall was reported in El Faro (SW flank) and La Florida (5 km S) during 13-14 and 25-26 March, in Quetzaltenango (18 km WNW) during 17-18 March, and in San Jose on 19 March.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Sheveluch
| Central Kamchatka (Russia)
| 56.653°N, 161.36°E
| Elevation 3283 m
Based on visual observations and analyses of satellite data, KVERT reported that during 15-22 March a viscous lava flow effused on the E flank of Shiveluch's lava dome, accompanied by hot avalanches, incandescence, and fumarolic activity. Satellite imagery showed a daily thermal anomaly on the lava dome. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Tolbachik
| Central Kamchatka (Russia)
| 55.832°N, 160.326°E
| Elevation 3611 m
KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 15-22 March that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the fissure. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
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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Google Earth Placemarks
A Google Earth network link for the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report was first made available on 1 April 2009. This file 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 page for that volcano and to the complete Weekly Report for that week.
