Overall there are 42 volcanoes with ongoing eruptions as of the Stop Dates indicated, and as reported through the last data update (17 September 2020), sorted with the most recently started eruption at the top. Information about more recently started eruptions can be found in the Weekly Report.
Although detailed statistics are not kept on daily activity, generally there are around 20 volcanoes actively erupting on any particular day. The Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report (WVAR) for the week ending on 22 September 2020 includes the 16 volcanoes bolded and shown below in the WVAR column (rollover for report).
An eruption marked as "continuing" does not always mean that the activity is continuous or happening today, but that there have been at least some intermittent eruptive events at that volcano without a break of at least 3 months since it started. An eruption listed here also might have ended since the last public data update, or at the update time a firm end date had not yet been determined due to potential renewed activity.
Report for Etna INGV reported that during 14-20 September activity at Etna’s New Southeast Crater (NSEC) was characterized by Strombolian activity and ash emissions. The ejection of incandescent material onto the crater rim and the S flank was occasionally visible during phases of increased activity. Minor ash emissions sporadically rose from Voragine Crater (VOR). Strombolian activity also occurred within Northeast Crater (NEC).
Report for Erta Ale Satellite data showed thermal anomalies in both of Erta Ale’s S and N pit craters in mid-August, though by 5 September only the N pit had anomalous temperatures.
Report for Kadovar Based on satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 21-22 September ash plumes from Kadovar rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW.
Report for Semeru According to PVMBG ground-based observers noted ash plumes from Semeru rising 500 m above the summit and drifting SE on 17 September. An ash plume rose 200 m and drifted N the next day. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Report for Dukono Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 17-22 September ash plumes from Dukono rose 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW, W, NW, and N. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.
Report for Ibu PVMBG reported that during 15-22 September white-and-gray ash plumes rose 200-800 m above Ibu’s summit and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side.
Report for Suwanosejima JMA reported nighttime incandescence at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 11-18 September. An explosion at 0155 on 15 September generated an ash plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim and ejected large rocks as far as 400 m from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Report for Aira JMA reported that very small eruptive events at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were occasionally recorded during 14-21 September. Crater incandescence was visible at night. An eruption at 0810 on 15 September generated an ash plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Report for Ebeko Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 11 and 14-17 September that sent ash plumes up to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE, E, N, and NW. A thermal anomaly over the volcano was visible in satellite data on 13 and 15 September. Ash fell in Severo-Kurilsk during 14-15 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Report for Sheveluch KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 11, 13-14, and 16-17 September; weather clouds prevented views on other days during 11-18 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Report for Pavlof On 21 September AVO announced that the Volcano Alert Level for Pavlof was raised to Advisory and the Aviation Color Code was raised to Yellow. Seismicity had increased above background levels during the previous day and was characterized by ongoing tremor.
Report for Popocatepetl CENAPRED reported that each day during 16-21 September there were 52-121 steam-and-gas emissions from Popocatépetl, most of which contained minor amounts of ash. Weather clouds often obscured views of the volcano. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (middle level on a three-color scale).
Report for Fuego INSIVUMEH reported that effusive activity at Fuego decreased as of 16 September; the lava flow that had descended the Ceniza drainage (SSW) was no longer active. There were 6-16 explosions per hour recorded during 16-22 September, generating ash plumes as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim that generally drifted 7-20 km in multiple directions. Shock waves rattled buildings within a 20-km radius. Sometimes incandescent material ejected 100-300 m high caused avalanches of blocks in the Ceniza, Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Las Lajas, and Honda drainages; avalanches sometimes reached vegetated areas. Ashfall was reported daily in several areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Finca Palo Verde, Santa Sofía (12 km SW), San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), and Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW). During 18-19 September lahars descended the Ceniza, Las Lajas, and Honda drainages, carrying tree branches, trunks, and blocks as large as 1.5 m in diameter. Additionally, lava flows traveled 200-350 m down the Seca and Ceniza drainages.
Report for Rincon de la Vieja OVSICORI-UNA reported that small, frequent eruptions at Rincón de la Vieja continued to be recorded, though sometimes not visually confirmed, during 16-22 September. A larger event, at 1053 on 22 September, ejected material out of the crater and into the drainages on the N flank.
Report for Sangay IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 15-22 September. Seismicity was characterized by high levels of explosions, harmonic tremor, long-period earthquakes, and signals indicating emissions. Weather clouds sometimes prevented visual observations of the volcano, but the Washington VAAC and IG webcams recorded daily ash plumes that rose as high as 2 km above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. Pyroclastic flows descended the SE flank almost daily.
An explosion at 0420 on 20 September was the largest such event in the recent months. Within 10 minutes several satellite images showed a large ash cloud rising 6-10 km above the summit; high-altitude parts of the cloud drifted E while lower parts drifted W. Servicio Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos y Emergencias (SNGRE) reported that 32 districts within the provinces of Chimborazo, Bolívar, Guayas, and Los Ríos were affected by ashfall. Authorities in the districts of Bucay and Cumandá restricted driving, the opening of businesses, and outdoor activities due to ashfall. The José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport in Guayaquil suspended its operations for seven hours to clean the runways. Ashfall was most significant in Chimborazo, particularly in the districts of Guamote, Alausí, Chunchi, Pallatanga, and Cumandá, with photos showing poor visibility and ashfall covering streets, cars, and houses. Ashfall significantly impacted agriculture fields.
Authorities inspected the confluence of the Volcán River (SE flank) and Upano River, and observed significant deposits of tephra, some of which had damned the river and created an immense lagoon. Normally the Upano was about 25 m wide in that area but because of the deposits it was more than 250 m across and had almost no water in it. After the explosion, IG noted that activity returned to levels similar to previous months with ash plumes rising 1-2 km above the volcano during 20-22 September.
Report for Nevados de Chillan On 22 September SERNAGEOMIN reported that lava continued to advance down Nevados de Chillán’s NNE flank. Gas emissions and occasional explosions were also recorded. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, the second lowest level on a four-color scale, and residents were reminded not to approach the crater within 3 km. ONEMI stated that Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) remained in place for the communities of Pinto and Coihueco, noting that as of 16 June the public should stay at least 3 km away from the crater on the SW flank and 5 km away on the NE flank.
