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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 11 December-17 December 2002
Name Location Eruption Start Date Report Status
Etna Sicily (Italy) Continuing
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) Continuing
Kilauea Hawaiian Islands (USA) 2021 Sep 29 Continuing
Klyuchevskoy Central Kamchatka (Russia) Continuing
Papandayan Western Java Continuing
Popocatepetl Mexico 2005 Jan 9 Continuing
Rabaul New Britain (Papua New Guinea) Continuing
Reventador Ecuador 2008 Jul 27 Continuing
San Cristobal Sierra de los Marrabios Continuing
Sheveluch Central Kamchatka (Russia) 1999 Aug 15 Continuing
Soufriere Hills Montserrat Continuing
Tungurahua Ecuador Continuing
All times are local unless otherwise stated.
Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 18,995 individual reports over 1,169 weeks (average of 16 per week) on 329 different volcanoes.

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Agung Cotopaxi Iliamna Lewotolok Pinatubo St. Helens
Ahyi Cuicocha Iliwerung Little Sitkin Planchon-Peteroa Stromboli
Aira Cumbal Inielika Llaima Poas Sulu Range
Akan Dabbahu Ioto Lokon-Empung Popocatepetl Sumbing
Alaid Davidof Irazu Lonquimay Purace Sundoro
Alu-Dalafilla Dempo Iya Lopevi Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Suretamatai
Ambae Descabezado Grande Izu-Torishima Machin Rabaul Suwanosejima
Ambang Dieng Volcanic Complex Jackson Segment Makushin Raikoke Taal
Ambrym Dukono Kaba Maly Semyachik Ranakah Tair, Jebel at
Anatahan Ebeko Kadovar Manam Raoul Island Takawangha
Aniakchak Ebulobo Kaitoku Seamount Manda Hararo Rasshua Talang
Antillanca Volcanic Complex Edgecumbe Kama'ehuakanaloa Marapi Raung Tambora
Antuco Egon Kambalny Maroa Redoubt Tanaga
Apoyeque Ekarma Kanaga Martin Reventador Tandikat-Singgalang
Arenal Epi Kanlaon Masaya Reykjanes Tangkoko-Duasudara
Asamayama Erebus Karangetang Maule, Laguna del Rincon de la Vieja Tangkuban Parahu
Askja Erta Ale Karkar Mauna Loa Rinjani Tara, Batu
Asosan Etna Karthala Mayon Ritter Island Ta'u
Atka Volcanic Complex Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group] Karymsky McDonald Islands Rotorua Taupo
Augustine Eyjafjallajokull Kasatochi Melimoyu Ruang Telica
Avachinsky Fagradalsfjall Katla Merapi Ruapehu Tenerife
Awu Fernandina Katmai Midagahara Ruiz, Nevado del Tengger Caldera
Axial Seamount Fogo Kavachi Misti, El Sabancaya Three Sisters
Azul, Cerro Fonualei Kelimutu Miyakejima Sakar Tinakula
Azumayama Fournaise, Piton de la Kelud Momotombo Salak Tofua
Bagana Fourpeaked Kerinci Monowai San Cristobal Tokachidake
Balbi Fuego Ketoi Montagu Island San Miguel Tolbachik
Bamus Fujisan Kharimkotan Moyorodake [Medvezhia] San Vicente Toliman
Banda Api Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba Kick 'em Jenny Mutnovsky Sangay Tongariro
Bardarbunga Galeras Kie Besi Myojinsho Sangeang Api Trident
Barren Island Galunggung Kikai Nabro Santa Ana Tungurahua
Batur Gamalama Kilauea Negra, Sierra Santa Maria Turrialba
Bezymianny Gamkonora Kirishimayama Negro, Cerro Sao Jorge Ubinas
Bogoslof Gareloi Kita-Ioto Nightingale Island Sarigan Ugashik-Peulik
Brava Gaua Kizimen Nishinoshima Sarychev Peak Ukinrek Maars
Bristol Island Gorely Klyuchevskoy Nisyros Saunders Ulawun
Bulusan Great Sitkin Kolokol Group Novarupta Savo Unnamed
Calbuco Grimsvotn Koryaksky NW Rota-1 Semeru Unnamed
Callaqui Guagua Pichincha Krakatau Nyamulagira Semisopochnoi Veniaminof
Cameroon Guallatiri Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker Nyiragongo Seulawah Agam Villarrica
Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia Guntur Krysuvik-Trolladyngja Ofu-Olosega Sheveluch Vulcano
Cayambe Hachijojima Kuchinoerabujima Okataina Shishaldin West Mata
Chachadake [Tiatia] Hakoneyama Kurikomayama Okmok Simbo Westdahl
Chaiten Heard Kusatsu-Shiranesan Ontakesan Sinabung Whakaari/White Island
Chiginagak Hekla Kverkfjoll Oraefajokull Sinarka Witori
Chikurachki Helgrindur La Palma Osorno Siple Wolf
Chiles-Cerro Negro Hierro Lamington Pacaya Sirung Yakedake
Chillan, Nevados de Hokkaido-Komagatake Lamongan Pagan Slamet Yasur
Chirinkotan Home Reef Langila Palena Volcanic Group Snaefellsjokull Yufu-Tsurumi
Chirpoi Hood Lanin Paluweh Soputan Zaozan [Zaosan]
Ciremai Huaynaputina Lascar Panarea Sorikmarapi Zavodovski
Cleveland Hudson, Cerro Late Papandayan Sotara Zhupanovsky
Colima Huila, Nevado del Lateiki Parker Soufriere Hills Zubair Group
Colo Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Lengai, Ol Doinyo Pavlof Soufriere St. Vincent
Concepcion Ibu Leroboleng Pelee South Sarigan Seamount
Copahue Ijen Lewotobi Peuet Sague Spurr
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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 Etna
According to an INGV-CT report, the eruption that began at Etna on 27 October continued through 13 December. On 8 December there was a sudden change in eruptive style. Strong Strombolian explosions from the 2,800-m vent replaced previous fire fountaining, signaling the end of ash emissions for about 24 hours. On 9 December fire fountaining resumed at this vent, but on the10th activity changed to Strombolian explosions. This alternating activity culminated on 10 December with the opening of two vents on the SSE base of the cone and the emission of two lava flows. These flows spread SW towards Monte Nero, and S towards the cinder cone that formed at 2,550-m elevation during the 2001 eruption (also called Laghetto cone).

The S flow expanded on the 11th and 12th, and as of the 13th it had reached 300 m from the road leading to the Rifugio Sapienza tourist area, about 3.3 km from the vent. Civil Protection authorities, for the second time during this eruption, built an earth dam to divert the lava away from Rifugio Sapienza structures. SO2 emission rates significantly decreased on 1 December, dropping from previous estimates of ~20,000 to ~7,000 tons/day.

According to a Reuters news article, a lava flow that reached the Rifugio Sapienza tourist area on the evening of 16 December caused an explosion that destroyed a building and injured 32 people. The article stated that the exact cause of the explosion was unknown.
Sources: Reuters, Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)
Report for Karymsky
Seismicity remained above background levels at Karymsky during 6-13 December, with about 210-230 shallow events recorded per day. The character of seismicity indicated that ash-and-gas explosions reached heights of ~1 km above the volcano, and vigorous, 5- to 10-minute-long gas emissions possibly occurred. Karymsky remained at Concern Color Code Yellow.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Kilauea
During 10-17 December, lava continued to enter the sea at several points along the coast. On 15 December, shortly after 0700, the Wilipe'a lava delta partially collapsed, losing about 1/3 of its area. The tip of the delta retreated shoreward about 260 m and most of the collapse was in the central part of the delta. Around the 15th and 16th a substantial collapse occurred at the West Highcastle delta. Generally, seismicity was at normal levels. The swarm of long-period earthquakes and tremor beneath Kilauea's caldera, occasionally seismically active since June, continued at a relatively low level. The Pu`u `O`o tiltmeter showed deflation for about one week until the 17th. No other significant deformation was recorded.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Klyuchevskoy
Seismicity was above background levels at Kliuchevskoi during 6-13 December. Seismographs recorded 12-24 earthquakes per day during the report period at depths of ~ 30 km. In addition, intermittent spasmodic volcanic tremor was recorded. Gas-and-steam plumes rose 1.5 km above the crater and extended N and NE. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Yellow.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Papandayan
During 2-8 December, ash plumes continually emitted from Papandayan's Baru crater rose 150-400 m above the rim and drifted NE. Explosions occurred on 4 December at 0700 and on 8 December at 1758. The number of shallow volcanic earthquakes decreased during the report week, while deep volcanic and tectonic earthquakes increased in comparison to the previous week. Papandayan remained at Alert Level 3 (on a scale of 1-4).
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Report for Popocatepetl
During December there were several emissions of steam, gas, and minor amounts of ash at Popocatépetl. According to CENAPRED, new episodes of low-frequency tremor, beginning on 19 November, signaled the growth of a new lava dome within Popocatépetl's crater. Aerial photographs obtained by the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation on 2 December confirmed the presence of a fresh lava dome measuring about 180 m in diameter at its base, and about 52 m high. The lava dome grew in episodes of variable duration, at a mean extrusion rate of 8-9 m3 per second.

These dome-growth episodes were distinctly recorded by the monitoring network as harmonic tremor. Small associated inflation was also recorded. CENAPRED stated that dome growth may continue and could conclude with dome-destruction episodes, which have occurred in the past. The Alert Level at Popocatépetl remained at Yellow.
Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Report for Rabaul
During 12-16 December, the eruption of Rabaul volcano's Tavurvur cone was characterized by slow, convoluted ash plumes that rose several hundred meters above the summit. Moderate amounts of ashfall affected areas close to the cone. Seismicity was low to moderate and no significant ground deformation was recorded. Although the NE vent was still dominant, some plumes also rose from the W side of the N crater.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) via the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center
Report for Reventador
During 12-15 December, volcanic and seismic activity was low at Reventador; however, weather clouds thwarted visual observations.
Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG)
Report for San Cristobal
Based on ground observations from Chinandega, the Washington VAAC reported that relatively strong volcanic activity occurred at San Cristóbal on 16 December at 0745. INETER's volcano camera and satellite imagery showed a plume emanating from the summit that appeared to be mainly composed of steam with some possible ash.
Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Sheveluch
During 6-13 December, seismicity remained above background levels at Shiveluch, but it decreased after 8 December. Seismic data indicated that eight ash-and-gas explosions reached heights of 1-2 km above the lava dome, and hot avalanches possibly occurred. A number of smaller earthquakes at depths of 0-6 km and weak intermittent spasmodic tremor was recorded. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to a maximum height of 1.5 km above the lava dome. Thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery, but ash was not. Shiveluch remained at Concern Color Code Yellow.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Soufriere Hills
Reports of activity at Soufrière Hills covered the interval 6-13 December. Activity increased during the first 3 days of this interval, peaking in a dome-collapse event on the night of 8 December. Following this event, activity returned to moderate levels for the remainder of the week.

On 6 and 7 December most activity occurred on the N and NE flanks of the active extruded lobe, producing numerous pyroclastic flows in Tuitt's and White's ghauts, and the Tar River Valley. On 8 December, activity was focused NNE, producing numerous small-to-moderate pyroclastic flows in White's Ghaut. A sustained dome collapse began on 8 December at 2045, producing energetic pyroclastic flows down White's Ghaut to the sea at Spanish Point. Ash clouds rose to ~3 km a.s.l. and drifted WNW. In Plymouth and Richmond Hill 4 mm of ash was deposited. Seismic activity returned to background levels on 9 December by 0045 and several days of weak tremor occurred.

The collapse scar formed on the dome's NNE flank was estimated to have had a volume of 4-5 million cubic meters. This was being filled rapidly with freshly extruded lava. Observations on 13 December revealed a large amount of fragmental lava extruded in a northerly direction on the summit. A large spine was also extruded on the NW side of the summit.

SO2 emission rates were generally low during the first 3 days of the report period (280 metric tons per day on average), but following the dome-collapse event, on 9 December, they reached an average of 2,350 tons per day. On 10 December emission rates decreased to an average of 620 tons per day.
Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
Report for Tungurahua
During 11 December, emissions of steam, gas, and ash continued at Tungurahua. Plumes rose to ~1 km above the volcano.
Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG)