All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Galunggung (Indonesia) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Galunggung Sunda Volcanic Arc	Based on information from a pilot report, the Darwin VAAC stated that an eruption at Galunggung on 23 August at 1748 produced a W-drifting low-level plume. No ash was visible on satellite imagery. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Asosan (Japan) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Asosan Nankai Volcanic Arc	By 21 August isolated tremor events that began at Aso's Crater 1 on 5 August decreased in number after peaking on 15 August. On the 21st the temperature of the crater's southern inner rim was still high (314 ºC), as it had been the previous week. Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) via the Volcano Research Center
Hachijojima (Japan) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Hachijojima Izu Volcanic Arc	Seismicity that began to increase at Hachijo-jima on 13 August (when 16 earthquakes were recorded) began to decrease on 20 August (less than 10 earthquakes were recorded). The earthquake's hypocenters migrated from NW to SE, roughly parallel to the long axis of the island. Hypocenters of low-frequency earthquakes that occurred on the morning of 21 August were located near the 13-15 August swarm's hypocenters. Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) via the Volcano Research Center
Izu-Torishima (Japan) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Izu-Torishima Izu Volcanic Arc	An eruption began at Tori-shima on 11 August and an aerial inspection by the Japan Coast Guard on 21 August revealed that "smoke" was no longer rising from the volcano as it had been on the 14th. Weak steaming was visible in the southern part of the crater. In addition, the sea surface around the island was faintly discolored. Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) via the Volcano Research Center
Kerinci (Indonesia) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kerinci Sunda Volcanic Arc	During 5-18 August, seismicity at Kerinci was dominated by small explosion earthquakes. According to the Darwin VAAC, on 27 August at 1000 an ash plume was observed at a height of ~3.5 km a.s.l. drifting to the NW. The cloud was not visible on satellite imagery. Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Kilauea (United States) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	During 21-26 August, surface lava flows continued to travel on Kilauea's coastal flat, and down Paliuli, and Pulama pali. On the 21st lava entered the sea near the Highcastle stairs (the more easterly ocean entry), but by the 25th no lava was entering the sea. Generally, seismicity was at normal levels with the swarm of long-period earthquakes and tremor fluctuating but typically remaining at high levels. Deformation was nearly flat, or continued long-term trends. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Merapi (Indonesia) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Merapi Sunda Volcanic Arc	During 5-18 August, incandescent lava avalanches traveled predominately down Merapi's SW flank into the upstream portions of the Sat, Lamat, and Senowo rivers. The avalanches reached a maximum run-out distance of ~2.5 km. Merapi remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Raung (Indonesia) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Raung Sunda Volcanic Arc	Based on pilot reports and satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume was visible rising from Raung on 25 August at 1534. The cloud reached a height of ~9.2 km a.s.l. and drifted to the W at high levels and to the E at lower levels. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
San Cristobal (Nicaragua) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
San Cristobal Central America Volcanic Arc	A ground observer in Chinandega, Nicaragua indicated that San Cristóbal was active on 21 August around 1600. Ash was not visible on an INETER volcano camera at 1630 due to dense cloud cover. A possible plume was detected on satellite imagery taken at 1545 during a break in the cloud cover. The plume was estimated to be near summit level and drifted W. Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Semeru (Indonesia) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Semeru Sunda Volcanic Arc	During 5-18 August, volcanic and seismic activity at Semeru remained at higher-than-normal levels. On 6 August a lava avalanche traveled ~750 m E toward Besuk Kembar River. Seismicity consisted of tectonic, explosion, and avalanche earthquakes. Semeru remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Sheveluch (Russia) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	During 16-23 August, seismicity remained above background levels at Shiveluch, although only three earthquakes with magnitudes of 1.7-1.9 occurred. A number of smaller 0- to 6-km-deep earthquakes were registered, as well as many other local shallow seismic signals. The signals were possibly indicative of avalanches and ash-and-gas explosions (one to three per day reached heights of 1-1.5 km above the dome). Volcanic tremor continued at previous levels. Ash-and-gas plumes rose to a maximum height of 4 km above the dome. Thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery, but ash was not. Shiveluch remained at Concern Color Code Yellow ("volcano is restless"). Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Soufriere Hills (United Kingdom) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Soufriere Hills Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc	Volcanic and seismic activity at Soufrière Hills were at moderate levels during 16-23 August. Lava-dome growth continued to be focused on the N side of the dome complex and rockfall talus continued to accumulate to the N in the upper reaches of Tuitt's Ghaut. In addition, there were overspills of talus from the northern side of the Tar River Valley into the two tributaries of White's Ghaut. Talus also slowly accumulated in the notch in the NW sector of the old dome that leads towards Tyre's Ghaut. During intense rainfall in the early hours of Wednesday morning, a small collapse occurred in the Tar River Valley. SO2 flux remained at moderate levels. Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
Suwanosejima (Japan) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Suwanosejima Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	Eruptive activity began to decline at Suwanose-jima in comparison to the previous week. Periods of volcanic tremor occurred on the 19th and 20th. According to the Suwanose-jima office of Toshima Village, rumbling sounds were not as strong as those of the previous week, but were sometimes accompanied by the sounds of large explosions on the 20th. Small amounts of ash fell in inhabited areas about 4 km SSW of the summit on the 20th and 21st. On the afternoon of the 20th ash also fell in Naze city on Amami-oshima Island, about 140 km S of Suwanose-jima. Aerial inspections conducted during the report period by the staff of Kagoshima Meteorological Observatory revealed that an ash-rich cloud rose 1.5 km above the crater and drifted S. Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) via the Volcano Research Center
Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Tungurahua Andean Northern Volcanic Arc	During 21-27 August, emissions of steam, gas, and ash continued at Tungurahua. Ash clouds reportedly rose to a maximum height of ~7.3 km a.s.l. Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Witori (Papua New Guinea) | 21 August-27 August 2002 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Witori Bismarck Volcanic Arc	On 21 August several news articles reported that surface deformation had been recorded at Pago by Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) staff. They also reported that Ima Itikarai, an RVO seismologist, stated that "Lava is flowing from one of the small vents that was formed, but the lava is still contained within the corridor, so it's not a threat." The natural corridor is reportedly 30 m high. Due to the volcanism that has been occurring for three weeks, emergency officials discussed re-settling the 8,000 displaced residents near Pago. Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, Australian Associated Press

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)