RVO reported that during 3-14 January gray ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose several hundred meters above the crater to 1.7 km (5,600 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and SE. Explosions or forceful emissions sometimes ejected incandescent lava fragments that fell back into the crater and occasionally onto the slopes. Ashfall affected areas downwind; Air Niugini suspended all its flights to Tokua airport (about 20 km SE) during 5-9 January. According to a news article, a local shipping company offered to take passengers to a nearby airport in New Ireland Province, an area not affected by the ash plumes. Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-12 January ash plumes rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE, E, and NE.

RVO reported that on 11 January two small vents opened on the SW flank of Tavurvur (one-quarter of the way up the flank) and emitted strong fumaroles. During 11-13 January, the vents ejected ash. On 13 January, two explosions produced dull booms and sounds resembling falling rocks. Ash plumes rose 200-500 m above the vents and drifted SE. Later that day, diffuse white plumes were emitted. Air Niugini flights into Tokua airport remained suspended on 13 January.

Sources: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), ABC News - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

AVO reported that thermal anomalies over Shishaldin's summit were detected in satellite imagery during 7-10 January. Clouds prevented observations on 11, 12, and 13 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

MVO reported that during 2-3 January activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome increased drastically. On 2 January, an energetic pyroclastic flow and associated surge traveled down Tyers Ghaut (NW) and reached the upper part of Belham River. On 3 January, after a period of elevated seismicity, two explosions produced ash plumes to altitudes greater than 10.7 km (35,000 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall affected most of the island at elevations of 1.2 km (4,000 ft) a.s.l. and above. The explosions had significant "jet components" to at least 500 m above the dome. In-column collapses resulted in pyroclastic flows that traveled W and reached Plymouth (about 5 km W). After the second explosion, the level of activity decreased dramatically and remained low through 9 January. The Hazard Level remained at 4.

Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)

The IG reported that during 7-10 and 12 January steam-and-ash plumes from Tungurahua rose to altitudes of 6-6.5 km (19,700-21,300 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, WNW, W, and E. On most days, ash fell within 8 km NW and SW, and roaring, explosions, and "cannon shot" noises were reported. On 7 and 10 January, incandescence blocks ejected from the crater rolled down the flanks.

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

Based on a pilot observation, the Wellington VAAC reported that an ash plume from Yasur rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. Ash was not identified on satellite imagery.

Source: Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 9 January an eruption from Sakura-jima produced a plume that rose to an altitude of more than 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 7-8 and 10-11 January ash plumes from Barren Island rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and SW.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 7 January ash plumes from Batu Tara rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and ENE.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 29 December-9 January Chaitén's Domo Nuevo 2 continued to grow and generate a gas-and-ash plume. The plume rose to altitudes of 2.6-3.1 km (8,500-10,200 ft) a.s.l.; block-and-ash flows from frequent spine collapses tinged the plume reddish brown. On 2 January, observers in Chaitén town reported that a block-and-ash flow traveled E and produced a second plume. An overflight on 9 January revealed that Domo Nuevo 1 and Domo Nuevo 2 filled up the 3-km-wide inner caldera. Activity was concentrated on the S part of Domo Nuevo 2. The Alert Level remained Red. According to a news article, Argentine Airlines resumed flights into Esquel airport (about 120 km E) on 12 January, after suspending operations due to ash during the previous eight months.

Based on SIGMET notices and web camera views, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 10 and 12 January ash plumes continuously rose to altitudes 1.8-2.7 km (6,000-9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NNE and E.

Sources: Infobae, Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 7 January ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and SE.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

INGV-CT reported that during 5-11 January activity from Etna's summit craters was observed utilizing surveillance cameras situated in Milo (about 11 km ESE); inclement weather prevented direct inspection of the summit area. Degassing was seen from the NW Bocca Nuova vent, from the walls and floor of Southeast Crater, and along summit fumarolic fields. The NW-SE-trending fissure E of the summit craters continued (since 13 May 2008) to produce active lava flows to the N of the SE end of the fissure, along the W wall of the Valle del Bove.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

INSIVUMEH reported that during 8-9 January, multiple explosions (3-5 per hour) from Fuego produced ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 4.3-5.4 km (14,100-17,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 10-15 km S and SW. The explosions produced rumbling sounds and shock waves that were detected 10-15 km away. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind. Constant avalanches of blocks descended the S and SW flanks. Based on analysis of satellite imagery and information from the Tegucigalpa MWO, the Washington VAAC reported that on 10 January a diffuse plume drifted W.

Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

KVERT reported that during 2-9 January seismic activity from Karymsky was not evaluated due to technical issues. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed a thermal anomaly in the crater on 7 January; clouds prevented observations on the other days. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

HVO reported that during 7-13 January lava flowed SE through a tube system from underneath Kīlauea's Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) and rootless shield complex, reaching the Waikupanaha ocean entry. Surface flows were noted on the coastal plain and incandescence was seen at the base of the pali. Explosions at the ocean entry were seen on 6, 8, and 11 January. A lobe of lava called the Prince lobe, to the W of Waikupanaha, advanced to within about 160 m of the coastline.

The vent in Halemaʻumaʻu crater continued to produce a predominantly white plume that drifted mainly SW. Tephra production had stopped; rockfalls inside the vent continued. An infrared camera showed that the vent conduit was closed by rubble deep beneath the floor of the crater. The sulfur dioxide emission rate at the summit was 800 tonnes per day on 7 January; above the 2003-2007 average rate of 140 tonnes per day. Variable winds periodically caused sulfur dioxide concentrations in the air to reach unsafe levels and effect nearby communities, and caused the Jaggar Museum to close on 12 January.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

KVERT reported that seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi was above background levels during 1-9 January. Strombolian activity and lava effusion on the NW flank continued. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed a large daily thermal anomaly in the crater. Ashfall was reported in Kozyrevsk village (about 50 km W) on 1 January. Ash plumes drifted 60 km N on 1 January and 35 km SW on 2 January.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

SERNAGEOMIN reported that ash emissions and gas plumes from cones inside Llaima's crater were observed during 30 December-6 January.

Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

KVERT reported that seismic activity at Shiveluch was above background levels during 2-9 January. Based on interpretations of seismic data, ash plumes rose to an altitude of 8.8 km (28,900 ft) a.s.l. on 7 January and to an altitude of 5.7 km (18,700 ft) a.s.l. on the other days during the reporting period. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed a large daily thermal anomaly on the lava dome and an ash plume that drifted 25 km W on 6 January. Gas-and-steam emissions were seen on 2, 4, and 6 January. Ash deposits were noted in areas about 10 km SW on 7 January. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported an explosion from Suwanose-jima on 9 January.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Based on a SIGMET notice, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 11 January an ash plume from Ubinas rose to an altitude of 7.3 km (24,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE.

Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)