All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Colima (Mexico) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Colima Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	During 13-18 February, seismicity was relatively low at Colima and was dominated by landslide signals. In addition, landslides continued to travel down the volcano's S, SW, and W flanks, extending up to 2-3 km from the volcano's summit. During reconnaissance flights over the volcano, lava flows were observed extending ~70 m down the SW flank. On 16 February lava was seen on the E flank; CENAPRED reported that landslides are expected to travel down this flank in the following days. The 6.5-km-radius exclusion zone remained in effect and there were restrictions to access within a radius of 11.5 km from the volcano's summit. Source: Centro Universitario de Estudios Vulcanológicos (CUEV) - Universidad de Colima
Fuego (Guatemala) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Fuego Central America Volcanic Arc	Volcanism increased at Fuego on 12 February, with a ~2-km-long lava flow streaming down its flank towards an unpopulated area. Several shelters have been set up in case lava flows travel towards populated areas or volcanism increases. The volcano remained at Alert Level Yellow. Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Karangetang (Indonesia) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karangetang Sangihe Volcanic Arc	An explosion at Karangetang on 11 February produced an ash cloud and lava flows. The ash cloud drifted to the WSW, depositing 0.5-1 mm of ash in the villages of Kanawong, Lehi, Mimi, Kinali, and Pehe. Incandescent lava flows traveled as far as 1-1.5 km to the W down the Beha River and E down the Kahetang River. Seismicity decreased at the volcano in comparison to the previous week and a "red reflection" was visible at night reaching 25 m above the volcano. Karangetang remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Karymsky (Russia) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	On 13 February a pilot reported seeing a W-drifting ash cloud rise to 5 km a.s.l. The cloud was not visible on satellite imagery; it may have been a single burst that dissipated rapidly. On 14 February, after 19 days with no seismic data, the seismic station at Karymsky began to work. Local shallow earthquakes occurred at the previously recorded rate of about 10 events per hour. During 8-15 February thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery. The volcano was at Color Concern Code Yellow ("volcano is restless"). Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kilauea (United States) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	During 13-19 February, a small surface lava flow was visible at Kilauea on the Pulama pali scarp. No lava has reached the coastal plain or the ocean since the Kamoamoa and E Kupapa`u entries stopped in late January. Generally, volcanic tremor remained at moderate levels at Pu`u `O`o and long-period earthquakes and weak tremor continued below Kilauea's caldera. Tiltmeters across the volcano showed no evidence of significant deformation. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Lokon-Empung (Indonesia) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Lokon-Empung Sangihe Volcanic Arc	After an eruption on 9 February, volcanism decreased at Lokon-Empung through at least the 17th. During 11-17 February, observers saw small volcanic plumes rise 50-150 m above the crater rim. The volcano remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Merapi (Indonesia) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Merapi Sunda Volcanic Arc	During 11-17 February there were 65 incandescent lava avalanches observed traveling down Merapi's flanks, predominately WSW to the upstream portions of Lamat and Senowo rivers and partly SW toward the Sat and Bebeng rivers. The maximum run-out distance was ~2.5 km. During the report period, six minor pyroclastic flows traveled up to 2.5 km to the upstream portions of the Lamat and Senowo rivers. According to news reports, Volcanology Development and Investigation Agency staff stated that intense rain during the current rainy season could cause landslides around the volcano's crater. Merapi remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Sources: The Jakarta Post, The Jakarta Post, Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Popocatepetl (Mexico) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Popocatepetl Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	Seismicity increased slightly at Popocatépetl during 15-16 February after several weeks of low activity. Harmonic tremor and low-magnitude volcanotectonic micro-earthquakes were recorded. During the same period emissions of gas, steam, and some ash occurred. CENAPRED stated that the activity was possibly related to the ascent of magma and the formation of a new lava dome. They added that this activity could lead to explosions in the next days to weeks. The volcano remained at Alert Level Yellow Phase II. Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Sheveluch (Russia) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	During 8-15 February volcanism increased at Shiveluch and KVERT raised the Color Concern Code on 15 February from Yellow ("volcano is restless") to Orange ("volcano is in eruption or eruption may occur at any time"). During the report period seismicity was above background levels, thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery, and several gas-and-ash eruptions occurred. The highest rising gas-and-ash cloud was produced from an eruption on 14 February at 0835; it reached ~ 3 km above the volcano's dome. A short-lived eruption on 15 February at 1501 produced a gas-and-ash plume that rose to 2 km above the dome and pyroclastic flows that extended 2.5 km to the SE. During 1613-1725 the same day, a dense ash plume continuously rose to 2 km above the dome. The Tokyo VAAC received a report that an eruption on 19 February at 1443 produced an ash cloud that reached a height of ~6.7 km above the volcano and drifted to the ESE. Sources: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Soufriere Hills (United Kingdom) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Soufriere Hills Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc	During 8-15 February volcanism at Soufrière Hills decreased slightly in comparison to the previous week. Lava-dome growth continued to be focussed towards the E and NE, producing numerous rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows in the upper portions of the Tar River Valley. Minor rockfalls of old inactive dome material traveled W to the upper portion of the Gages region. Minor episodes of ash venting occurred throughout the report period and SO2 emissions were slightly lower than the previous week. Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 13 February-19 February 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Tungurahua Andean Northern Volcanic Arc	On the evening of 13 February Strombolian activity occurred at Tungurahua; incandescent volcanic blocks were hurled up to 1 km from the volcano's crater. The following day a consistent steam plume rose to 1 km above the volcano. Around 15-16 February explosive activity decreased, and then increased on the 17th. Sources: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 20,322 individual reports over 1,229 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 336 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.

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)