All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Aira (Japan) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Aira Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	Based on information from JMA, analyses of satellite imagery, and pilot observations, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 15-21 July explosions from Sakura-jima's Showa crater occasionally produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.7 km (6,000-9,000 ft) a.s.l. Plumes were observed drifting SW, N, and NE. On 19 July, JMA raised the Alert Level from 2 to 3 (on a scale of 1-5). They noted increased frequency of explosive eruptions since late June, and shock waves that were detected on 18 and 19 July. Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
San Miguel (El Salvador) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
San Miguel Central America Volcanic Arc	On 20 July, Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET) reported that the amplitude of seismic events from San Miguel had decreased to normal or background levels. Access to areas within a 2-km-radius continued to be restricted. Source: Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET)

Bagana (Papua New Guinea) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Bagana Solomon Volcanic Arc	Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 19 July an ash plume from Bagana rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 100 km NW. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Barren Island (India) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Barren Island Andaman Volcanic Province	Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 19-20 July an ash plume from Barren Island rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 45-65 km NE. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Batu Tara (Indonesia) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Batu Tara Sunda Volcanic Arc	Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 15-18 July ash plumes from Batu Tara rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 20-55 km in multiple directions. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Chaiten (Chile) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Chaiten Southern Andean Volcanic Arc	Based on web camera views from the S, SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 8-15 July gas-and-ash plumes rose 1.2 km from Chaitén's growing Domo Nuevo 1 and Domo Nuevo 2 lava-dome complex. Collapses originating from unstable slopes generated block-and-ash flows, particularly in the W area of the complex. The Alert Level remained at Red. Based on web camera views, analyses of satellite imagery, and a SIGMET notice, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 16, 19, and 21 July ash plumes rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NNE, SE, and SSW. Thermal anomalies were detected in satellite imagery on 16 and 19 July. Sources: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
Egon (Indonesia) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Egon Sunda Volcanic Arc	CVGHM reported that the Alert Level for Egon was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 16 July due to the continued decrease in earthquake activity since 12 May. Small steam plumes were occasionally visible when the weather was clear. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Ibu (Indonesia) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Ibu Halmahera Volcanic Arc	CVGHM reported that white and gray plumes from Ibu rose 600 m above the crater rim prior to 11 July and 400 m above the crater afterwards. Ashfall was reported in nearby areas, within a 3-km-radius of Ibu. Based on information from the Gamsungi observation post and seismic data, CVGHM lowered the Alert Level on 16 July from 3 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and tourists were not permitted within 2 km of the crater. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Kie Besi (Indonesia) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kie Besi Halmahera Volcanic Arc	CVGHM reported that on 16 July the Alert Level for Makian was lowered from 2 to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) because no visual changes or increased seismicity were noted. Residents and tourists were not permitted to climb Makian. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Kilauea (United States) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	During 15-20 July, HVO reported that lava flowed SE from underneath Kilauea's Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) and rootless shield complex through a lava tube system, reaching the Waikupanaha and Kupapa'u ocean entries. Thermal anomalies detected in satellite images and visual observations revealed active surface flows at several locations on the pali, and on the TEB flow field. A structure in the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision was destroyed on 16 July. Explosions from the Waikupanaha ocean entry were reported on 17 July. Lava was not seen entering the ocean on 21 July. The vent in Halema'uma'u crater continued to produce a diffuse white plume that drifted mainly SW. No lava or incandescence from the crater had been seen since a "deflation-inflation" event on 4 July. Small amounts of ash-sized "rock dust" were retrieved from collection bins placed near the plume during the reporting period. The sulfur dioxide emission rate at the summit remained elevated; measurements were 400 and 1,100 tonnes per day on 17 and 20 July, respectively. The 2003-2007 average rate was 140 tonnes per day. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Rabaul (Papua New Guinea) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Rabaul Bismarck Volcanic Arc	RVO reported that during 10-21 July white and occasionally blue tinted plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose less than 1 km above the crater. Pale-gray ash accompanied the emissions on 13 and 15 July. Ashfall affected Rabaul town (3-5 km NW), Ratavul (20 km SSE), and Nonga (10 km NW). Incandescence was visible at night and roaring was heard during 14-18 July. Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
Sarychev Peak (Russia) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sarychev Peak Kuril Volcanic Arc	Based on analyses of satellite imagery, SVERT reported that gas-and-steam plumes from Sarychev Peak were seen on satellite imagery during 15, 18-19, and 21 July. Plumes drifted 30-50 km W and S. Cloud cover prevented observations during 16-17 and 20 July. Sarychev Peak does not have a seismic network. Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)
Semeru (Indonesia) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Semeru Sunda Volcanic Arc	CVGHM reported that on 15 March an eruption from Semeru produced a white-and-gray plume that rose 600 m above the crater. White plumes and ash eruptions gradually ceased and seismicity decreased. From 5 May until the end of June, fog prevented visual observations. On 16 July, the Alert Level was lowered to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Sheveluch (Russia) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that during 10-17 July seismic activity from Shiveluch was above background levels. On 14 July, a gas-and-steam plume seen on a video camera rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. Based on interpretations of seismic data, ash plumes possibly rose to an altitude of 6.5 km (21,300 ft) a.s.l. during 10, 13-14, and 16 July, and steam-and-gas plumes with some ash content were emitted during the reporting period. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed a daily thermal anomaly over the lava dome, and a steam plume that drifted 19 km SW on 13 July. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange. Based on analyses of satellite imagery and information from KEMSD, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 17 July an eruption produced a plume that rose to an altitude of 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Suwanosejima (Japan) | 15 July-21 July 2009 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Suwanosejima Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	Based on a pilot observation, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 15 July an ash plume from Suwanose-jima rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. Eruptions reported by the JMA during 16-17 July produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.5-1.8 km (5,000-6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and W. Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (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.

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.

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)