All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Home Reef (Tonga) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Home Reef Tofua Volcanic Arc	Tonga Geological Services reported that eruptive activity at Home Reef continued as of 24 December. Satellite data processed by the MIROVA monitoring system showed ongoing thermal anomalies. Sentinel-2 images indicated that the NE part of the island grew by at least 1,000 square meters between 7 and 12 December. The new lava had covered approximately 75,000 square meters by 15 December, including the previously existing island and the new NE area. Satellite imagery on 15 December showed white and gray emissions above the volcano. The Maritime Alert Level remained at Orange (the third level on a four-level scale), and mariners were advised to stay at least 4 km away from the island. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Yellow (the second level on a four-level scale), and the Alert Level for residents of Vava’u and Ha’apai remained at Green (the first level on a four-level scale). Sources: Matangi Tonga Online, Tonga Geological Services, Government of Tonga
Kilauea (United States) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reported that an eruption began at Kilauea’s Kaluapele summit caldera on 23 December. At approximately 0200 on 23 December elevated seismicity accompanied by rapid summit inflationary ground motion (UWH and SDH tiltmeters) was recorded in the summit region. By 0220 webcams showed that eruptive activity had begun near the SW wall of Halema’uma’u crater. At 0241 the Alert Level was raised from Advisory to Warning and the Aviation Color Code was raised from Yellow to Red. At 0245 the summit region tiltmeters switched to deflation. A line of fissures erupted lava fountains that fed flows across the Halema’uma’u crater floor, and the down dropped block within the summit caldera. Between 0230 and 0430 vents also opened briefly to the NE along the crater floor. At 0430 the lava fountains were observed rising to heights up to ~80 m (260 feet). Molten material, including lava bombs, were ejected from the floor up onto the W caldera rim. By 0500 lava covered an estimated 1.6 square kilometers (400 acres) of the caldera floor. A plume of gas and fine particles rose 600-1,200 m (2,000-4,000 feet), reaching 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 feet) above sea level, and drifted SW. By 0630 the eruption had stabilized within the crater and there were no threats to infrastructure, so HVO lowered the Alert Level to Watch and the Aviation Color Code to Orange at 0643. The initial vent along the SW wall remained active. The maximum fountain height was ~90 m (300 feet). Lava flows covered more than 2 square kilometers (500 acres), and the gas emissions persisted. Spatter from the fountains and tephra/Pele’s hair prevented crews from obtaining SO2 emission rates by ground or helicopter. The eruption continued throughout the day before slowing significantly between 1500 and 1600 and came to an apparent pause. New lava covered approximately 2.6 square kilometers (650 acres), including all of Halema’uma’u and most of the adjacent down dropped block, this area is about 25% of the Kaluapele summit caldera. Based on an estimated lava flow thickness of 1 m, an average effusion rate of 85 cubic meters per second was calculated for the first 8 hours of the eruption. The fountain heights decreased to ~50 m by 1300. Weather conditions prevented measurement of SO2 gas emission rates by normal methods, but nearby stations estimated over 100,000 tons per day (t/d) around 0800 and decreased by half in the afternoon. Around 1500 summit deflation stopped and the seismic tremor began to decrease. By 1530 the fountains were barely visible and had stopped by 1600. The gas emissions also decreased significantly. Soon after fountaining stopped, lava began to drain back into the original vents, a process that continued through the night. At about 0800 on 24 December low-level eruptive activity began again and around 1100 the lava fountains began to intensify. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Whakaari/White Island (New Zealand) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Whakaari/White Island Taupo Volcanic Zone	GeoNet reported that as of 23 December, although moderate to heightened volcanic unrest continued, since the last overflight on 14 December no emissions had contained detectable ash. Satellite imagery and webcam feeds from Whakatane and Te Kaha indicated weak steam and gas emissions on December 23. During periods of clear weather, a more substantial steam plume was observed above Whakaari from the Bay of Plenty coastline. The Aviation Color Code was lowered from Orange (the third level on a four-level scale) to Yellow (the second level on a four-level scale). The Volcanic Alert Level remained at Level 2 (the third level on a six-level scale). Source: GeoNet

Bezymianny (Russia) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Bezymianny Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that the effusive eruption at Bezymianny continued during 12-19 December and was accompanied by vigorous degassing activity. A thermal anomaly was observed over the volcano in satellite imagery during the reporting period, except for on 13 and 17 December due to weather clouds. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second level on a four-level scale). Dates are reported in UTC; specific events are in local time where noted. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Fuego (Guatemala) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Fuego Central America Volcanic Arc	The Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) reported continued eruptive activity at Fuego during 18-24 December. Daily weak-to-moderately strong explosions were recorded by infrasound at rates of 6-10 per hour. The explosions generated gas-and-ash plumes that rose 4.5-5.0 km above sea level and drifted in multiple directions, including as far as 40 km SW and W. The explosions also generated block avalanches around the crater that descended toward the Ceniza (SSW), Taniluya (SSW), Las Lajas (SE), Seca (W), Santa Teresa (W), and Trinidad (SSW) drainages and sometimes as far as vegetation. On most nights and early mornings incandescent ejecta was observed as high as 250 m above the summit. This activity was accompanied by rumbling, shock waves, and sounds similar to a turbine engine. On 18 December ashfall was reported in Panimache (8 km SW), Morelia (10 km SW), Santa Sofia (12 km SW), El Porvenir (10 km S), Yepocapa (9 km NW), and other nearby communities. On 22 December ashfall was reported in San Pedro Yepocapa (9 km NW), Sangre de Cristo (10 km SW), Palo Verde (10 km SW), El Porvenir (10 km S), Panimaché (8 km SW), and other nearby communities. Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Karymsky (Russia) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that moderate levels of activity continued at Karymsky during 12-19 December. Satellite data analyzed by KVERT showed a thermal anomaly over the volcano on 15 December; weather clouds prevented observations in satellite images on the other days. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third level on a four-level scale). Dates are reported in UTC; specific events are in local time where noted. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Merapi (Indonesia) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Merapi Sunda Volcanic Arc	The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM) reported the eruption at Merapi (on Java) continued during 18-24 December. Seismicity remained high. Lava avalanches from the SW dome were observed 50 times and traveled as far as 1.7 km SW down the Bebeng and Krasak drainages. White emissions rose 25-150 m above the summit and drifted E and W, but weather often prevented observation. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 3-7 km away from the summit, based on location. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Sabancaya (Peru) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sabancaya Central Andean Volcanic Arc	The Centro Vulcanológico Nacional (CENVUL) of Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that moderate levels of eruptive activity continued at Sabancaya during 16-22 December. A daily average of six explosions were recorded, ejecting ash-and-gas emissions as high as 1.8 km above the summit. The emissions dispersed as far as 10 km to the W and NW. Seismicity included a total of 159 earthquakes associated with magma and gas movement, as well as earthquakes related to rock-fracturing processes inside or near the volcano. Slight inflation of the N sector of the volcano complex continued (near Nevado Hualca Hualca, located approximately 7 km N). Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions were classified as low, with an average of 632 tons per day. Additionally, a combined total of two thermal anomalies were detected in the area of the lava dome within the crater (with a maximum value of 1 MW). The Alert Level remained at Orange (the third level on a four-level scale) and the public was advised to stay at least 12 km away from the summit crater in all directions. Source: Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP)
Semeru (Indonesia) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Semeru Sunda Volcanic Arc	The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that eruptive activity continued at Semeru during 18-24 December with several daily eruptive events recorded by the seismic network. Dense white-and-gray plumes rose 100-1,000 m above the summit and drifted in several directions each day except 20 December when no emissions were observed. The Alert Level remained at 2 (the second lowest level on a scale of 1-4). The public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the summit in all directions, 13 km from the summit to the SE, 500 m from the banks of the Kobokan drainage as far as 17 km from the summit, and to avoid other drainages including the Bang, Kembar, and Sat, due to lahar, avalanche, and pyroclastic flow hazards. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Sheveluch (Russia) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that eruptive activity at Sheveluch continued during 12-19 December. Vigorous degassing activity accompanied the effusive eruption at the Young Sheveluch lava dome, as well as the continued extrusive growth of the "300 Years of RAS" lava dome on the SW flank of Old Sheveluch. Thermal anomalies were observed over both domes in satellite images analyzed by KVERT during the reporting period. On December 17, a gas-and-steam plume with small amounts of ash extended at least 95 km WSW of the “300 Years of RAS” lava dome; light ashfall was reported along with snowfall in Klyuchi (50 km SW). The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third level on a four-level scale). Dates are reported in UTC; specific events are in local time where noted. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Taal (Philippines) | 18 December-24 December 2024 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Taal Taiwan-Luzon Volcanic Arc	The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported continuing unrest at Taal during 18-24 December. Daily weak-to-moderate emissions rose as high as 600 m above the crater and drifted SW. Volcanic tremor episodes recorded each day during 20-24 December each lasted between 3 and 39 minutes. Volcanic earthquakes were recorded on most days (1-11 each day). Sulfur dioxide gas emissions averaged 1,181 tonnes per day (t/d) on 23 December. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 0-5); PHIVOLCS reminded the public that the entire Taal Volcano Island was a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and recommended that the Main Crater and areas along the Daang Kastila fissure should remain prohibited. Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)

Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 20,792 individual reports over 1,251 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 338 different volcanoes.

Use the dropdowns to choose the year and week for archived Weekly Reports.

 News Feeds and Google Placemarks

 Criteria & Disclaimers

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.

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.

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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)