Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

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 16 February-22 February 2005
Name	Country	Volcanic Region	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Anatahan	United States	Mariana Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Colima	Mexico	Trans-Mexican Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Egon	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Karangetang	Indonesia	Sangihe Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Kilauea	United States	Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	2024 Dec 23	Continuing
Klyuchevskoy	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	2025 Apr 8	Continuing
Manam	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	2018 May 10 ± 10 days	Continuing
Piton de la Fournaise	France	Reunion Hotspot Volcano Group	—	Continuing
Rabaul	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Sheveluch	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	1999 Aug 15	Continuing
St. Helens	United States	High Cascades Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Tungurahua	Ecuador	Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Veniaminof	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Anatahan (United States) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Anatahan
Mariana Volcanic Arc

Eruptive activity at Anatahan declined steadily during the week of 14 February to a level that was less than 5% of the peak level attained during the eruption that began on 5 January. Ash eruptions continued, and the 2003 crater floor was almost entirely covered by fresh lava to a diameter of about one kilometer. On 21 February, seismic and acoustic records from Anatahan showed very low levels of activity over the previous 5 days. A MODIS image taken at 0115 on 18 February showed a plume of steam and vog (fog composed of volcanic fumes) extending about ~170 km SW of Anatahan.

Source: Emergency Management Office of the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands and United States Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program

Colima (Mexico) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Colima
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Arc

During 16-21 February, several small explosions at Colima produced ash plumes that rose to low levels; plumes drifted predominately SE and W.

Source: Centro Universitario de Estudios Vulcanológicos (CUEV) - Universidad de Colima

Egon (Indonesia) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Egon
Sunda Volcanic Arc

According to a news report, as of 17 February recent eruptive activity at Egon had prompted the local government to evacuate hundreds of residents living near the volcano.

Source: The Jakarta Post

Karangetang (Indonesia) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Karangetang
Sangihe Volcanic Arc

DVGHM reported that on 16 February, a lava flow traveled 600 m from Karangetang's crater towards Kali Nanitu. Lava avalanches in the same area traveled as far as 1,200 m down the volcano's flank. At 1830 that day a pyroclastic flow traveled ~3,400 m, reaching the sea. Karangetang remained at Alert Level 3 (on a scale of 1-4).

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Kilauea (United States) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kilauea
Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group

On 21 February a new ocean entry, named East Lae`apuki, started at Kilauea. The entry was located between the other two ocean entries (Ka`ili`ili and West Highcastle) that had been active since 31 January 2005. This was the first time there had been three ocean entries active since early 2003. During 17-22 February, surface lava flows were visible on the volcano. A few small earthquakes occurred at Kilauea's summit, and no tremor was recorded. Tremor was at moderate levels at Pu`u `O`o. Small amounts of deformation occurred during the report period.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

Klyuchevskoy (Russia) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Klyuchevskoy
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

During 11-18 February, seismicity was above background levels at Kliuchevskoi, with a large number of shallow earthquakes occurring daily. Ash plumes rose ~3 km above the volcano's crater during 12-14 February. Phreatic bursts, which occurred when lava flows contacted a glacier, were seen on 12 and 13 February. During 12-16 February, volcanic bombs were hurled 300-500 m above the crater, Strombolian activity occurred in the crater, and lava traveled into Krestovsky channel on the volcano's NW flank. During a flight on 16 February, a mudflow was seen extending 27 km. According to a news report, a lava flow from Kliuchevskoi melted a large section of Ehrman glacier. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Manam (Papua New Guinea) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Manam
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

According to RVO, mild eruptive activity was observed from Manam's Southern Crater during 18-21 February. Weak-to-moderate ash explosions the crater emitted rose a few hundred meters above the crater and drifted E and SE, depositing fine ash in areas downwind. Main Crater emitted white vapor. Seismicity was at low levels at Manam, with small low-frequency earthquakes occurring. Manam remained at Alert Level 2.

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

Piton de la Fournaise (France) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Piton de la Fournaise
Reunion Hotspot Volcano Group

A new period of heightened seismic activity began at Piton de la Fournaise on 17 February around 1300, consisting of about 100 seismic events within 90 minutes. After that, the number of events decreased, but recommenced at 1638 with several hundreds of events. Strong deformation was recorded at the same time by tiltmeters and the extensometer network. Eruption tremor began around 2035, becoming strong at 2050. The eruption site seemed to be situated close to Nez Coupé de Sainte Rose (on the N side of the volcano), and lava flows were observed in the Grand Brûlé area. According to a news report, the eruption ended on 19 February.

Sources: Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF), European Volcanological Society (SVE)

Rabaul (Papua New Guinea) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Rabaul
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

During 1-21 February, eruptions of ash clouds occurred fairly frequently at Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone. Ash clouds rose a few hundred meters, drifted SE, and deposited ash mainly offshore. Incandescent lava fragments were visible during several evenings. Between 200-350 earthquakes associated with the eruption occurred daily. During 18-21 February, ash fell in the town of Tokua.

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

Sheveluch (Russia) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sheveluch
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

Seismicity was above background levels at Shiveluch during 11-18 February, with weak shallow earthquakes occurring beneath the active lava dome. Ash plumes may have risen to a maximum height of 7.4 km a.s.l. on 17 February. Possible weak ash-and-gas explosions and hot avalanches occurred during the week. Ash deposits were seen on the volcano's snow-covered lava dome extending to the SE and S. Shiveluch remained at Concern Color Code Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

St. Helens (United States) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

St. Helens
High Cascades Volcanic Arc

During 16-22 February, growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of St. Helens continued, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. A GPS unit deployed on 16 February on the E arm of the glacier within the volcano's crater moved northward about 1.2 m per day. This rapid rate of flow was consistent with the thickening of the glacier that resulted from its compression between the growing lava dome and E crater wall. A thermal imaging flight on the 16th suggested that a longitudinal crack was developing along the top of the new lava dome.

On the afternoon of 18 February, a rockfall off of the lava dome produced an ash plume that rose several hundred meters above the crater rim. CVO reported that extensive cracking on the long, smooth, whaleback-shaped lava dome suggested that increased rockfall activity and similar small plumes could occur in the coming weeks. Analysis of recent airphotos showed that as of 1 February the high point on the whaleback-shaped extrusion was 2,330 m (nearly 425 m above the 1980 crater floor and 150 m above the top of the old lava dome). The extrusion was about 470 m long, and 150 m wide. The new lava dome, uplifted area of crater floor, and deformed glacier ice grew to a combined volume of about 38 million cubic meters, almost one-half the volume of the old lava dome. St Helens remained at Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation code Orange.

Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)

Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Tungurahua
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

Volcanic and seismic activity were at low levels at Tungurahua during 16-22 February. Low-energy gas, steam, and ash plumes were emitted. In addition, long-period earthquakes and episodes of tremor were recorded.

Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)

Veniaminof (United States) | 16 February-22 February 2005 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Veniaminof
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

During 11-18 February, it was likely that low-level Strombolian eruptive activity continued at Veniaminof based on seismic data and satellite imagery. Cloudy conditions obscured web camera views of the volcano, and no ash emissions were observed above the cloud cover. Seismicity remained above background levels at Veniaminof. The character of the seismicity changed slightly during the report period, with frequent periods of continuous banded volcanic tremor occurring, but the amplitudes of earthquakes did not increase. This activity was consistent with explosions from the active cone; however, there was no indication that these bursts are rose more than 4 km a.s.l. Veniaminof remained at Concern Color Code Orange.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

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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.

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