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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 21 October-27 October 2015
Name Location Eruption Start Date Report Status
Fuego South-Central Guatemala 2002 Jan 4 New
Rinjani Lombok Island New
Turrialba Costa Rica New
Asosan Kyushu (Japan) Continuing
Bagana Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) 2000 Feb 28 (in or before) Continuing
Batu Tara Komba Island Continuing
Colima Mexico Continuing
Cotopaxi Ecuador Continuing
Dukono Halmahera 1933 Aug 13 Continuing
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) Continuing
Kilauea Hawaiian Islands (USA) Continuing
Nevado del Ruiz Colombia 2014 Nov 18 Continuing
Piton de la Fournaise Reunion Island (France) Continuing
Popocatepetl Mexico 2005 Jan 9 Continuing
Santa Maria Southwestern Guatemala 1922 Jun 22 Continuing
Shishaldin Fox Islands (USA) 2023 Jul 12 Continuing
Sinabung Northwestern Sumatra Continuing
Ubinas Peru 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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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 Fuego
INSIVUMEH reported that during 21-22 October explosions at Fuego generated ash plumes that rose 350-650 m above the crater. A lava flow advanced in the Santa Teresa (W) drainage. Seismicity increased during 25-26 October, and gas-and-ash plumes rose 1.2 km and drifted S and SW. Lava fountains rose as high as 200 m, feeding 850-m-long lava flows in the Santa Teresa and Trinidad (S) drainages. On 27 October lava fountains rose 300 m, and lava flows advanced as far as 1.5 km in the Santa Teresa, Trinidad, and Las Lajas (S) drainages. Strombolian explosions produced ash plumes that rose almost 1 km high.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Rinjani
PVMBG reported that on 25 October at 1004 an eruption at Rinjani generated an ash plume that rose 200 m above the Barujari crater, inside the caldera. Ash fell on the flanks, especially to the SW. The report noted that no seismic nor surficial precursory events were detected. The Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Based on satellite observations, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 26 and 28 October ash plumes rose to altitudes of 3-4 km (10,000-13,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 45-75 km SW and WSW.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Report for Turrialba
OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small ash eruption at Turrialba began at 1153 on 23 October. An explosion at 1710 on 24 October produced an ash plume that rose 800 m above the crater and drifted SSW. Multiple explosive events occurred during 24-25 October; poor weather conditions sometimes prevented views of the activity. On 25 October 10-minute-long explosive events began at 0730 and 0927 and generated ash plumes that rose 1.5 km and 200 m, respectively; plumes drifted NW and W. Pyroclastic flows from collapsing ash columns were generated both times. Volcanologists conducting fieldwork on 26 October observed morphological changes at the S edge of the W crater and nearby areas due to the recent activity. They noted fresh light-colored ash and tephra deposits on the steep wall of the active crater. Three small explosions generated ash, steam, and gas emissions. Tephra was deposited as far as 400 m away in various directions from the crater.
Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
Report for Asosan
JMA reported that since the 14 September eruptive activity at Asosan’s Nakadake Crater continued. On 23 October explosions generated ash plumes that rose 1.4-1.6 km above the crater, producing tepha-fall in areas to the W and NW. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Report for Bagana
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 21 and 24-26 October ash plumes from Bagana rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.4 km (5,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 45-85 km W and NW.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Batu Tara
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 22-26 October ash plumes from Batu Tara rose to altitudes of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 35-65 km SW and W.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Colima
Based on satellite images, wind data, webcam views, and notices from the Mexico City MWO and Colima Tower, the Washington VAAC reported continuing emission from Colima. On 21 October an ash plume drifted N and quickly dissipated, and on 24 October an ash puff dissipated to the E. On 25 October a gas plume with minor amounts of ash was detected. An emission drifted NE on 28 October.
Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Cotopaxi
IG reported that during 21-27 October gas, steam, and ash plumes rose from Cotopaxi almost daily as high as 2 km above the crater and drifted NW, W, and SW. A small lahar detected on 24 October descended the NW flank but stayed with Cotopaxi National Park boundaries. A small lahar descended the W flank the next day.
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Report for Dukono
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 21-26 and 28 October ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.4 km (5,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 25-140 km W, NW, NE, and E.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Karymsky
KVERT reported that moderate explosive activity at Karymsky continued during 16-23 October. Satellite images showed ash plumes drifting 100 km SE during 19-20 and 22 October, and a thermal anomaly over the volcano on 20 and 22 October. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Kilauea
HVO reported that seismicity beneath Kilauea's summit, upper East Rift Zone, and Southwest Rift Zone was at background levels during 21-27 October. The lava lake continued to circulate and spatter in the Overlook vent; small sections of the inner wall veneer fell into the lake on 22 October causing increased spattering and sloshing. The June 27th NE-trending lava flow continued to be active within 2.2-6.3 km NE of Pu'u 'O'o Crater.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Nevado del Ruiz
Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that during 20-26 October seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz was characterized by long-period earthquakes and short-duration volcanic tremor associated with gas-and-ash emissions. Earthquakes occurred at depths between 1.1 and 8.8 km. The largest event was recorded at 0953 on 21 October, a local M 2.3, near Arenas Crater at a depth of 3.4 km. Significant amounts of water vapor and gas rose from the crater during the week. A gas, steam, and ash plume rose 2 km on 22 October. The Alert Level remained at III (Yellow; "changes in the behavior of volcanic activity").
Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)
Report for Piton de la Fournaise
OVPDLF reported that the effusive phase of the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise ended at 0802 on 19 October; around the same time tremor started to increase, and then gradually increased again starting at 0800 on 22 October. Observers reported that a small explosion in the vent ejected spatter.
Source: Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF)
Report for Popocatepetl
CENAPRED reported that during 21-22 and 24-27 October the seismic network at Popocatépetl recorded 12-69 daily emissions; 128 were detected on 23 October. Cloud cover often prevented visual observations. Variable nighttime crater incandescence was observed on some days. Two, four, and six explosions were detected on 21, 22, and 23 October, respectively. Four explosions were detected during 26-27 October. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.
Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Report for Santa Maria
INSIVUMEH reported that on 21 October heavy rainfall in the area triggered steaming hot lahars which descended Santa María’s Nima I and San Isidro drainages. Both lahars carried blocks as large as 1.5 m in diameter; the Nimá I deposit was 18 m wide and 1.5 m deep. Explosions during 21-22 October generated ash plumes that rose 700 m above the crater and drifted SW, causing ashfall in El Rosario Palajunoj finca. Ash plumes from explosions drifted S and SE during 25-26 October; ashfall was reported in areas downwind.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Shishaldin
AVO reported that seismicity at Shishaldin continued to be slightly elevated over background levels during 21-27 October, indicating that low-level eruptive activity confined to the summit crater continued. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Report for Sinabung
Based on information from PVMBG, and analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 21 October an ash plume from Sinabung rose to an altitude of 6.1 (20,000 ft) a.s.l.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Ubinas
Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) Observatorio Volcanológico del Sur (OVS) reported that during 20-26 October seismicity at Ubinas decreased overall; the level of long-period earthquakes remained high while hybrid and volcano-tectonic signals were at low levels. On 21 October an ash plume rose 1 km and drifted NE and E. Bluish gas-and-steam plumes rose from the crater during the rest of the period.
Source: Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP)