Activity for the week of 1 March-7 March 2006
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, notices of volcanic activity posted on these pages are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail. This is not a comprehensive list of all of Earth's volcanoes erupting during the week, but rather a summary of activity at volcanoes that meet criteria discussed in detail in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section. Carefully reviewed, detailed reports on various volcanoes are published monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.
New Activity / Unrest
Veniaminof
| United States
| 56.17°N, 159.38°W
| Elevation 2507 m
The Concern Color Code at Veniaminof was increased from Green to Yellow on 3 March. That morning ash emissions rose a few hundred meters above the intracaldera cone, drifted E, and dissipated rapidly. Ashfall was expected to be minor and confined to the summit caldera. Seismicity was low and did not indicate that a significantly larger eruption was imminent. AVO expected that steam-and-ash emissions may continue intermittently for days to weeks and could pose a hazard to people and low-flying aircraft in the vicinity of the active cone.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Ongoing Activity
Augustine
| United States
| 59.363°N, 153.43°W
| Elevation 1252 m
Unrest continued at Augustine during 24 February to 3 March, with overall seismicity remaining low, but above background levels. Rockfalls and avalanches originating from the summit area continued to be recorded by the seismic network. Since inflation commenced on 10 February, a vertical change of 2-3 cm was measured by GPS (Global Positioning System). A thermal anomaly at the summit was visible on satellite and camera images, and incandescent avalanches were observed. All available information indicated that the lava dome continued to grow slowly. A plume composed of variable amounts of gas, steam, and small amounts of ash was emitted intermittently from the summit. Augustine remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
Sources: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), Anchorage Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Fuego
| Guatemala
| 14.473°N, 90.88°W
| Elevation 3763 m
On 6 and 7 March, small ash emissions from Fuego were visible on satellite imagery and reached a maximum height of 4.6 km (~15,000 ft) a.s.l.
Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Galeras
| Colombia
| 1.22°N, 77.37°W
| Elevation 4276 m
During 27 February to 6 March, there were variations in the rate of degassing at Galeras and an increase in the volume of the lava dome located in the main crater in comparison to the previous week. Galeras remained at Alert Level 3 ("changes in the behavior of volcanic activity have been noted").
Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)
Karymsky
| Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)
| 54.049°N, 159.443°E
| Elevation 1513 m
During 24 February to 3 March, Strombolian activity continued at Karymsky. A large thermal anomaly was visible at the volcano's crater during the entire week. Numerous ash plumes were visible on satellite imagery, extending as far as 140 km NE and E. Karymsky remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kilauea
| Hawaiian Islands (USA)
| 19.421°N, 155.287°W
| Elevation 1222 m
During 2-7 March, no surface lava flows were visible on Kilauea's Pulama pali fault scarp, which had been the case since 8 February. Lava flowed into the ocean at the East Lae`apuki entry. Beginning on 1 March, lava emerged from the PKK lava tube between the 45- and 75-m elevations, and lava streams extended 200-400 m downstream from this point. Background volcanic tremor was at normal levels at Kilauea's summit, with shallow earthquakes continuing to occur beneath the summit area and the upper east rift zone. Volcanic tremor reached moderate levels at Pu`u `O`o. Slight inflation and deflation occurred at the volcano.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Korovin
| Andreanof Islands (USA)
| 52.381°N, 174.166°W
| Elevation 1518 m
Seismicity at Korovin remained slightly above background levels during 24 February to 3 March. Clouds obscured satellite views of the volcano, and AVO received no reports of activity. There were no indications that an eruption was imminent. The volcano remained at Concern Color Code Yellow.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Manam
| Papua New Guinea
| 4.08°S, 145.037°E
| Elevation 1807 m
Based on information from RVO, the Darwin VAAC reported that a minor explosion occurred at Manam on 6 March. The height of the resultant plume was not reported and ash was not visible on satellite imagery.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Santa Ana
| El Salvador
| 13.853°N, 89.63°W
| Elevation 2381 m
During 24 February to 6 March, seismicity at Santa Ana was relatively stable, and the sulfur-dioxide flux was lower than during previous weeks. The level of water in the lagoon within the crater decreased significantly. The Alert Level at Santa Ana remained at Red, the highest level, within a 5-km radius around the volcano's summit crater.
Source: Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET)
Santa Maria
| Guatemala
| 14.757°N, 91.552°W
| Elevation 3745 m
On 4, 6, and 7 March, satellite imagery showed small ash plumes emitted from Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex. The plumes reached ~3 km (~10,000 ft) a.s.l.
Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Soufriere Hills
| Montserrat
| 16.72°N, 62.18°W
| Elevation 915 m
On 26 February, rapid vertical growth of the lava dome at Soufrière Hills was visible on camera images, and by 27 February a large spine about 30 m wide and at least 30 m high had developed at the dome's summit. By 28 February this spine had split into two parts and was leaning precariously to the NE. At about 2115 on 28 February the overhanging parts of the spine disintegrated and generated pyroclastic flows that traveled down the Tar River Valley almost as far as the coast. A low-level ash cloud drifted W. There were further changes to the shape of the spines and the upper NE flank of the volcano in the following days as they disintegrated further. Rockfalls were visible on the N, NE, and E flanks of the volcano. Some fumaroles were observed on the upper outside part of Gages Wall (W of the lava dome) on 27 February suggesting movement of fluids in this area.
The sulfur-dioxide flux was low, with an average of 388 metric tons measured daily. Electronic Distance Measurement surveys showed a shortening of the distance between Jack Boy Hill and Hermitage on the NE flank of the volcano of 6 mm since 10 February. Similarly, the distance between Windy Hill and a reflector on Farrell's on the N flank of the volcano shortened by 6 mm in the same period. The last significant detected change in these measurements was in response to the onset of lava-dome growth in August 2005.
Sources: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
St. Helens
| United States
| 46.2°N, 122.18°W
| Elevation 2549 m
Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continued during 1-6 March, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. Small earthquakes (M 0-1.5) occurred every 2-3 minutes. Lava continued building a dome in the crater and advanced slowly W about 0.9 m per day away from the vent. Small rockfalls produced small ash clouds that rose from the lava dome's NW flank. St Helens remained at Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code Orange.
Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)
Suwanosejima
| Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
| 29.638°N, 129.714°E
| Elevation 796 m
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that several explosions occurred at Suwanose-jima during 2-7 March. The highest plume reached ~1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. on 5 March.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Tungurahua
| Ecuador
| 1.467°S, 78.442°W
| Elevation 5023 m
Activity at Tungurahua during 28 February to 6 March consisted of low-level seismicity and emissions of steam and gas, with low ash content. An explosion on the 28th produced a plume composed of steam, gas, and some ash that reached ~3 km above the volcano (or 26,300 ft a.s.l.).
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG)
Ulawun
| New Britain (Papua New Guinea)
| 5.05°S, 151.33°E
| Elevation 2334 m
RVO reported that activity during 1-2 March at Ulawun consisted of strong forcefully expelled "gray-blue emissions" from the main crater. Incandescence may have been visible at the base of the plumes. There were no emissions from the NW vent. Small felt earthquakes occurred and the sound of roaring was heard from nearby villages. According to the Darwin VAAC, RVO reported that activity increased at Ulawun during 1 and 2 March and ash reached ~3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. on the 1st. Ash was not visible on satellite imagery.
Sources: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
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 monthly, and 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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