All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Dieng Volcanic Complex (Indonesia) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Dieng Volcanic Complex Sunda Volcanic Arc	CVGHM reported that on 15 January two minor phreatic eruptions from Dieng's Sibanteng crater ejected material that fell within a 50 m radius. The ejecta and a landslide dammed up an area of the Kali Putih River. The Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) due to increased activity from Dieng and the potential for flash flooding from a dam breach. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Poas (Costa Rica) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Poas Central America Volcanic Arc	OVSICORI-UNA reported that on 8 January an M 6.2 earthquake occurred about 10 km E of Poás at a depth of 6 km. About 20 people were killed and dozens were missing due to faulting and landslides. Scientists performing geophysical measurements at the crater on 8 January observed numerous landslides and rockfalls from the inner walls around the active crater, and in the N sector of the main crater. New fractures opened on the E rim and fumarolic activity, from a pyroclastic dome S of the lake in the active crater, increased. Over 1,500 aftershocks were recorded during 8-9 January. On 12 January, scientists observed the rise of black sediment in the crater lake, and a phreatic eruption that ejected sediment and water about 15 m in height, within the crater. The area of the eruption was about 50 m in diameter. Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
Rabaul (Papua New Guinea) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Rabaul Bismarck Volcanic Arc	Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 14-18 January ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, SE, and SW. On 16 January, RVO reported that gray ash plumes rose above the crater and dispersed slowly to the E. Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

Aira (Japan) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Aira Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 15 January an explosion from Sakura-jima produced a plume that rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Barren Island (India) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Barren Island Andaman Volcanic Back-Arc	Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 18-19 January ash plumes from Barren Island rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NNE and NE. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Chaiten (Chile) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Chaiten Andean Southern Volcanic Arc	SERNAGEOMIN reported that seismicity from Chaitén increased during 9-12 January. The unstable slopes of Domo Nuevo 2 and spine collapses continued to produce block-and-ash flows. Based on SIGMET notices, analysis of satellite imagery, and web camera views, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 15, 17, 19, and 20 January ash plumes rose to altitudes 1.5-2.1 km (5,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, and SE. A small thermal anomaly was detected in satellite imagery on 19 January. Sources: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
Dukono (Indonesia) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Dukono Halmahera Volcanic Arc	Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 18 January ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and N. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Fuego (Guatemala) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Fuego Central America Volcanic Arc	Based on information from the Central American FIR, the Washington VAAC reported that on 14 January an ash plume from Fuego rose to an altitude of 4.9 km (16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WSW. On 19 and 20 January, INSIVUMEH reported that explosions produced ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 4.1-4.6 km (13,500-15,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 7 km NW, W, and SW. Some explosions produced rumbling sounds. Avalanches occurred on the S and SW flanks. Sources: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Galeras (Colombia) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Galeras Andean Northern Volcanic Arc	INGEOMINAS reported that during 14-15 and 17-19 January some grayish plumes from Galeras rose to altitudes below 5.7 km (18,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and SW. Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)
Karymsky (Russia) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that during 10-14 January seismic activity at Karymsky was above background levels and ash-and-gas explosions possibly occurred; seismic activity was not evaluated on 8 and 9 January due to technical issues. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed a thermal anomaly in the crater during 8-12 and 14-15 January. Gas-and-steam plumes drifted 25 km SE and NE on 8 and 12 January. Based on analysis of satellite imagery and information from the Yelizovo Airport (UHPP), the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 16 January an ash plume rose to an altitude of 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. Sources: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kilauea (United States) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	HVO reported that during 14-20 January lava flowed SE through a tube system from underneath Kilauea'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 on the pali. Explosions at the ocean entry were seen on 17 and 18 January. Variable winds caused the County Viewing Area to close during 14-16 January. The vent in Halema'uma'u crater continued to produce a predominantly white plume that drifted mainly SW. Variable winds occasionally caused poor air quality around the summit; on 16 January sulfur dioxide concentrations in the air reached unsafe levels. On 17 January, a geologist near the vent heard rockfalls, and rock impact and rushing sounds. Vent rim collapses the next day caused a dusting of fine tephra, and on 20 January faint incandescence from deep within the vent was noted. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Klyuchevskoy (Russia) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Klyuchevskoy Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi was above background levels during 9-16 January. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to an altitude of 6.8 km (22,300 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 50 km S and E. Strombolian activity was noted on 9 and 10 January. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed a large daily thermal anomaly in the crater and gas-and-steam plumes that drifted 70 km W on 12 January. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Llaima (Chile) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Llaima Andean Southern Volcanic Arc	Based on observations from POVI (Projecto Observación Visual Volcán Llaima), SERNAGEOMIN reported that weak ash emissions rose from Llaima's crater on 11 January. Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
Nevado del Huila (Colombia) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Nevado del Huila Andean Northern Volcanic Arc	INGEOMINAS reported that during 18-19 January continuous emissions from Nevado del Huila were observed on the web camera, and produced white plumes that rose to heights less than 1 km above the summit. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest on a four-color scale). According to news reports, authorities in Colombia announced on 19 January the decision to relocate the town of Páez (population of about 4,000), currently about 27 km SSE of Nevado del Huila, due to the town's proximity to the Páez river and the volcano. Several populations have been affected by lahars generated by glacier melting from the volcanic activity. Sources: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC), Reuters
Sheveluch (Russia) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that seismic activity at Shiveluch was above background levels during 9-16 January. Based on interpretations of seismic data, ash plumes rose to altitudes of 7.3 km (23,900 ft) a.s.l. and 6.9 km (22,600 ft) a.s.l. on 9 and 14 January, respectively, and to an altitude of 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. on the other days during the reporting period. Observers reported that ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. on 9 January and noted gas-and-steam activity during 8-10 and 12-14 January. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed a large daily thermal anomaly over the lava dome and gas-and-steam plumes that drifted about 70 km S, SE, and NE during 9-11 and 13 January. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange. Based on information from KEMSD, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 18 January an eruption produced a plume that rose to an altitude of 5.8 km (19,000 ft) a.s.l. Sources: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Soufriere Hills (United Kingdom) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Soufriere Hills Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc	MVO reported that during 9-16 January activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was at a low level; seismicity was low, rockfalls were minimal, and lava-dome incandescence at night was absent. The Hazard Level remained at 4. Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 14 January-20 January 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Tungurahua Andean Northern Volcanic Arc	The IG reported that during 13 and 15-16 January steam-and-ash plumes from Tungurahua rose to altitudes of 6-7 km (19,700-23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and NW; cloud cover often prevented visual observations on the other days during 14-20 January. Ashfall was reported, almost daily, in areas to the N, W, and SW. Roaring and explosions were occasionally reported. Incandescence in the crater was noted at night on 15, 18, and 19 January. On 16 January, a small lahar descended a drainage to the S. On 19 January, fumaroles in the crater were observed. Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)

Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 20,322 individual reports over 1,229 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 336 different volcanoes.

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

 News Feeds and Google Placemarks

 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 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.

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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)