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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 January-17 January 2006
Name Location Eruption Start Date Report Status
Augustine Alaska Peninsula New
Martin Alaska New
Colima Mexico Continuing
Dukono Halmahera 1933 Aug 13 Continuing
Fuego South-Central Guatemala 2002 Jan 4 Continuing
Galeras Colombia Continuing
Kilauea Hawaiian Islands (USA) Continuing
Santa Ana Western El Salvador Continuing
Santa Maria Southwestern Guatemala 1922 Jun 22 Continuing
Soufriere Hills Montserrat Continuing
St. Helens Washington 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 19,934 individual reports over 1,212 weeks (average of 16 per week) on 332 different volcanoes.

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


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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 Augustine
Explosive activity began at Augustine on 11 January. The day before, AVO increased the Concern Color Code from Yellow to Orange when seismicity began to increase at the volcano. On 11 January at 0444 seismic signals began to be recorded that were interpreted as being associated with explosions at Augustine's summit. The Concern Color Code was increased to Red, the highest level. Another explosion occurred at 0513, and satellite imagery confirmed that an ash plume was produced that rose to ~9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N and E. An ashfall advisory was issued by the National Weather Service. Seismicity decreased after the explosions. During a flight over the volcano, scientists saw volcanic mudflows on the E, S, and W sides of the volcano. Minor rock and snow avalanche deposits were visible high on the SW part of the edifice. According to news articles, several flights were canceled or diverted due to ash in air space.

On 12 January, the Concern Color Code was reduced to Orange. On 13 January, seismicity began to increase. An eruption on the 13th from about 0355 to 0439 produced an ash plume to 10.4 km (34,000 ft) a.s.l. On the 13th, the volcano entered a period of repetitive and explosive eruptions, with explosions occurring at 0444, 0847, 1122, and 1640. Each event produced ash plumes, mudflows, and pyroclastic flows. The ash plumes produced from these eruptions rose higher than 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash drifted ESE and a small amount of ash fell in communities of the SW Kenai Peninsula. Explosions on the 13th at 1858 and on the 14th at 0014 were similar in size and duration as the previous four. In response to these eruptions, the National Weather Service issued an ashfall advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula S of Ninilchik. No explosions were recorded later on the 14th. The level of seismic activity declined after an explosion on 14 January at 0016, so the Concern Color Code was reduced to Orange on 15 January at 0945. Observations on 16 January confirmed that pyroclastic deposits were widespread on the volcano's flanks, as seen in web camera images. Also, a small lava dome appeared to have extruded at the summit.

AVO reported on the 16th that the level of seismic activity at the volcano remained above background. It is likely, but not certain, that further explosive activity will occur. Explosive events similar to those of 13 and 14 January could occur with little or no warning.
Sources: Los Angeles Times, US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), Anchorage Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Martin
Increased seismicity occurred at Martin during 8 January until at least 15 January. About 300 earthquakes were recorded during 2 days, in contrast to the background rate of ~25 earthquakes per month since the seismic network was installed in 1996. AVO increased the Concern Color Code to Yellow. AVO reported that swarms of earthquakes of this nature are common at volcanoes such as Martin, and do not suggest that eruptive activity is imminent. Satellite data showed nothing unusual, although steaming is frequently observed at the volcano.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Report for Colima
During 11-15 January, several small explosions at Colima produced ash plumes. The highest rising ash plume was produced by an explosion on 11 December and reached ~9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. The plume drifted ENE.
Sources: Centro Universitario de Estudios Vulcanológicos (CUEV) - Universidad de Colima, Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Dukono
Ash from Dukono was visible on satellite imagery on 12 January at a height of ~3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l., extending SW.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Fuego
During 11-16 January, moderate-to-strong explosions at Fuego produced ash plumes that rose to ~1.5 km above the volcano (or 4,900 ft a.s.l.). Incandescent lava was hurled ~40 m high.
Sources: Sid Halsor, Wilkes Barre University, Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), Craig Chesner (Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, USA)
Report for Galeras
During a flight over Galeras on 13 January, scientists saw a lava dome in the volcano's main crater. Around this time, there was an increase in the amount of seismicity and deformation. Galeras remained at Alert Level 3 ("changes in the behavior of volcanic activity have been noted").
Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)
Report for Kilauea
During 11-14 January, lava from Kilauea continued to enter the sea at the East Lae`apuki area, building a new lava delta. Surface lava flows were visible on the Pulama pali fault scarp. On 10 January the summit deflation switched abruptly to inflation after a loss of 5.2 microradians. Relatively high tremor occurred at this time. Tremor quickly dropped, becoming weak to moderate when deflation ended, with seismicity punctuated by a few small earthquakes. By 13 January, background volcanic tremor was near normal levels at Kilauea's summit and reached moderate levels at Pu`u `O`o. On 14 January, the lava delta was about 500 m long (parallel to shore) and still only 140 m wide.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Santa Ana
During 6-13 January, volcanic activity was moderate at Santa Ana. Seismicity was a bit over normal levels with small earthquakes occurring, which were interpreted as being associated with gas pulses. Continuous low-level emissions of steam and gas originated from the lagoon and from fumaroles within the crater. The sulfur-dioxide flux ranged between 544 and 2,300 metric tons per day. The Alert Level remained at Red, the highest level, within a 5-km radius around the volcano's summit crater.
Source: Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET)
Report for Santa Maria
During 11-13 January, several explosions occurred at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, producing ash plumes that rose to ~1.5 km above the volcano (or 17,300 ft a.s.l.) and drifted SW. Lava avalanches originated from the SW edge of the Caliente dome. An explosion on the morning of 11 January generated a small pyroclastic flow that traveled down Caliente dome to the NE. INSIVUMEH reported on 16 January that a slight decrease in explosive activity was observed at the volcnao during the previous month, with small-to-moderate explosions producing ash clouds that rose to ~1 km above the crater (or 15,650 ft a.s.l.). On the 16th there were reports of a small amount of ashfall in the urban area of San Felipe Retalhuleu.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Soufriere Hills
Activity at Soufrière Hills remained at elevated levels during 6-13 January. Photographs revealed that the lava dome continued to grow throughout the report period over a broad sector extending from the E around to the N. Numerous small rockfalls continued from the E and NE flanks of the lava dome, adding talus in the upper reaches of the Tar River valley. The sulfur-dioxide flux averaged 724 metric tons per day.
Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
Report for St. Helens
Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continued during 11-16 January, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. There were no significant changes in seismicity or deformation during the report period. Small earthquakes continued to be recorded every 2-3 minutes, with slightly larger events occurring intermittently. St Helens remained at Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code Orange.
Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)
Report for Tungurahua
Small-to-moderate explosions at Tungurahua were preceded by long-period earthquakes during 11-16 January. An explosion on 11 January produced a plume with a moderate amount of ash. The plume drifted E.
Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)