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 8 November-14 November 2006
Name	Country	Volcanic Region	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Home Reef	Tonga	Tofua Volcanic Arc	2024 Dec 4	New
Barren Island	India	Andaman Volcanic Province	—	Continuing
Etna	Italy	Sicily Volcanic Province	2022 Nov 27	Continuing
Karymsky	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Kilauea	United States	Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	2024 Dec 23	Continuing
Manam	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	2018 May 10 ± 10 days	Continuing
Rabaul	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Santa Maria	Guatemala	Central America Volcanic Arc	1922 Jun 22	Continuing
Soufriere Hills	United Kingdom	Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
St. Helens	United States	High Cascades Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Suwanosejima	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	2004 Oct 23	Continuing
Tungurahua	Ecuador	Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Ubinas	Peru	Central Andean Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Ulawun	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Home Reef (Tonga) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Home Reef
Tofua Volcanic Arc

Pumice rafts originally reported to have been from Metis Shoal are now confirmed to have originated from an island-building eruption of the submarine Home Reef volcano. On 12 August, possibly four days after the beginning of the eruption, a sailor spotted the new island after encountering pumice rafts the previous day. The encounter was written in an on-line journal that described the island as four-peaked. A central crater produced steam plumes and occasional bursts of tephra.

Data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA's Aura satellite showed that sulfur dioxide emissions from the Home Reef area began on 8 August, peaked during 8-9 August, and ceased on 15 August. Based on ASTER satellite imagery from 4 October, the island was an estimated 1 km long with an area of 0.23 square km. The temperature of a small lake on the island was 64.7°C. The island was 0.15 square km, based on ASTER imagery from 12 October.

Sources: Alain Bernard, Fredrik Fransson, Simon Carn

Barren Island (India) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Barren Island
Andaman Volcanic Province

Based on satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that diffuse plumes from Barren Island on 8 November reached altitudes of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and W.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Etna (Italy) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Etna
Sicily Volcanic Province

An English-language report on Etna's activity during 31 August-5 November that was recently prepared and distributed by scientists from the Instituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Volcanologia (INGV) is summarized this week.

Strombolian activity and lava flows from SE Crater that began on 31 August continued until 15 September. During 22-27 September, 3-6 October, and 10-11 October, new but similar eruptive episodes with Strombolian explosions produced lava flows.

On 12 October, a short fissure opened on the ESE flank at the base of SE Crater. Lava spread in the upper Valle del Bove and advanced a few hundred meters downslope. On 17 October, mild spattering led to the growth of three hornitos on the fissure. Vigorous Strombolian activity from a vent in the SE Crater and large explosions occurred on 20 October. Lava flowed less than 1 km SE and a new cone grew at the summit.

On 23 October, vigorous Strombolian activity and lava fountaining from SE Crater marked a new eruptive episode. Lava flowed down the ESE flank and the summit cone rapidly grew. The explosive activity ceased the next day and was followed by ash emissions. Field observations revealed that a 50 m wide collapse pit opened on the SE flank and the new cone at the summit of the SE Crater had collapsed.

On 25 October ash emissions and weak Strombolian activity were observed from the summit of the SE Crater. Lava flows were emitted from fissures on the SSE flank and the S base of the central summit cone. On 27 October, ash emissions were followed by lava flows from the SSE flank fissure. Ash emissions on 29 and 30 October produced ashfall in inhabited areas including Catania, 27 km S of the summit cone. Lava continued to flow from the 25 October fissure and from the 12 October fissure at least until 5 November, when field observers reported actively flowing lava in the uppermost portions of the flow fields.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

Karymsky (Russia) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Karymsky
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

Seismic data from Karymsky were not available during 4-10 November, except on 2, 3, and 7 November, when seismicity was elevated above background levels. Explosions produced ash plumes that may have reached altitudes of 3 km (9,800 ft) a.s.l. Based on satellite imagery, plumes drifted NE on 2 November and SE during 6 and 7 November. A thermal anomaly in the crater was detected on 2-3 and 5-7 November. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Kilauea (United States) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kilauea
Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group

During 8-14 November, lava from Kilauea continued to flow off of a lava delta into the ocean at the East Lae'apuki and East Ka'ili'ili entries. During 7-9 November, a break-out flow was visible about halfway down Pulama pali. Incandescence was intermittently visible from the East Pond and January vents, South Wall complex, and Drainhole vent in Pu'u 'O'o's crater. Summit inflation S of Halema'uma'u caldera continued. Tremor at Pu'u 'O'o remained at a typical moderate level.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

Manam (Papua New Guinea) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Manam
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

RVO reported that during 1-13 November white vapor plumes from Manam were emitted from South Crater and from Main Crater. Incandescence was noted from both craters during 8-10 November and from Main Crater on 12 November. Based on satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 13 November a diffuse plume drifted W.

Sources: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Rabaul (Papua New Guinea) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Rabaul
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

RVO reported that during 25 October-1 November, Rabaul emitted thick white vapor and sub-continuous gray ash clouds. Fine ashfall was reported from areas N and NW, including Rabaul town. On 28 October, a large explosion produced an ash cloud that reached an altitude of 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW. Fine ashfall was reported from areas downwind and lava fragments fell onto the flanks. Only continuous, thick, white vapor clouds were emitted during 1-7 November. Two explosive events occurred on 2 November. Ash plumes from the first explosion reached altitudes of 1.5 km (4,900 ft) a.s.l. Plumes from both explosions drifted N. During 3-10 November, occasional small-to-moderate ash emissions produced plumes that drifted SE, away from populated areas. During 11-13 November, thick white vapor and occasional gray ash clouds drifted SE, S, W, NW, and N. Fine ashfall was reported downwind on 11 November.

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

Santa Maria (Guatemala) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Santa Maria
Central America Volcanic Arc

According to the Washington VAAC, minor emissions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex were visible on satellite imagery on 14 November. The small ash clouds drifted WSW.

Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Soufriere Hills (United Kingdom) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Soufriere Hills
Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc

During 3-10 November, lava-dome growth at Soufrière Hills continued and was concentrated on the E part of the edifice. Rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows originating from a large active lobe on the NE sector of the dome traveled down the SW and NE flanks. High-temperature rockfalls from the NNE sector were deposited on a ridge between Tuitt's and White's Ghauts. Sulfur dioxide measurements were higher than previous weeks, but still within the long-term average range.

Based on information from the MVO, satellite imagery, and pilot reports, the Washington VAAC reported continuous ash-and-gas emissions during 8-14 November. Resulting plumes drifted mainly W and S. A hotspot was detected on satellite imagery during 9-13 November.

Sources: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

St. Helens (United States) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

St. Helens
High Cascades Volcanic Arc

Data from deformation-monitoring instruments showed that during 8-14 November the lava dome at Mount St. Helens continued to grow. Inclement weather prohibited visual observations during most of the reporting period.

Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)

Suwanosejima (Japan) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Suwanosejima
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 9 November an eruption plume from Suwanose-jima reached an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Tungurahua
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

IG reported that during 7-12 November, emissions from Tungurahua produced ash plumes that reached altitudes of 6-9 km (19,700-29,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted predominantly NE, NW, and W. On 7 November, a voluminous lahar traveled down gorges to the W and reached as far as the Chambo River, about 7 km from the summit. On 8 November, blocks expelled from the summit rolled down the flanks and ash fall was reported from areas including Casúa (7 km NW) and Baños (8 km NE). On 10, 11, and 13 November, ash fall was reported from areas including Penipe (8 km SW). During 12-13 November, lahars traveled down W and NW drainages and the Vazcún River swelled with muddy water.

Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)

Ubinas (Peru) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ubinas
Central Andean Volcanic Arc

Based on pilot reports and satellite imagery, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported continuous emissions from Ubinas during 9-11 and 13 November. Ash plumes rose to 5.5-7.3 km (18,000-24,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S, SW, NW, and NE.

Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Ulawun (Papua New Guinea) | 8 November-14 November 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ulawun
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

Based on satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 12 November a diffuse plume from Ulawun reached an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 21,204 individual reports over 1,267 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 339 different volcanoes.

Search by Date

Use the dropdowns to choose the year and week for archived Weekly Reports.

Search by Volcano

Puyehue-Cordon Caulle

Dieng Volcanic Complex

Antillanca Volcanic Complex

Atka Volcanic Complex

Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group]

Fournaise, Piton de la

Moyorodake [Medvezhia]

Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia

Guallatiri

Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker

Krysuvik-Trolladyngja

Whakaari/White Island

Palena Volcanic Group

Soufriere St. Vincent

South Sarigan Seamount

Zubair Group

Concepcion

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai

News Feeds and Google Placemarks

Download Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network RSS Feed

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.

Download Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network CAP Feed

The CAP (Common Alerting Protocol) feeds are XML files specifically formatted for disaster management. They are similar in content to the RSS feed, but contain no active links.

Download Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network Link

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