Activity for the week of 9 September-15 September 2009
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
Langila
| New Britain (Papua New Guinea)
| 5.525°S, 148.42°E
| Elevation 1330 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 12 September an ash plume from Langila rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 35 km W.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Mayon
| Luzon (Philippines)
| 13.257°N, 123.685°E
| Elevation 2462 m
PHIVOLCS reported that 11 earthquakes from Mayon were detected during 14-15 September. Steam plumes drifted NW and ENE and the sulfur dioxide gas output decreased. Faint incandescence was observed at night. On 15 September, three ash explosions produced a brownish plume that rose no more than 700 m above the crater and drifted SW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5). The 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the SE flank and the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) in all other areas remained in effect.
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
Sheveluch
| Central Kamchatka (Russia)
| 56.653°N, 161.36°E
| Elevation 3283 m
KVERT reported that during 4-11 September seismic activity from Shiveluch was above background levels. Analyses of satellite imagery revealed a large daily thermal anomaly over the lava dome. Based on interpretations of seismic data, ash plumes possibly rose to an altitude of 4.2 km (13,800 ft) a.s.l. and hot avalanches occurred at the lava dome. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. during 4-9 September. An ash plume was seen in satellite imagery drifting 80 km E on 8 September.
On 11 September, KVERT reported strong explosions. Based on interpretations of seismic data, ash plumes rose to an altitude greater than 15 km (49,200 ft) a.s.l. The seismic network then detected eight minutes of pyroclastic flows from the lava dome; resulting plumes rose to an altitude of approximately 10 km (32,800 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code level was raised to Red. Ten more events characterized as ash explosions and either pyroclastic flows or avalanches were detected. Cloud cover prevented visual observations. Seismicity decreased during 11-12 September, and indicated that ash plumes rose to altitudes of 4.5-6.5 km (14,800-21,300 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code level was lowered to Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Ongoing Activity
Aira
| Kyushu (Japan)
| 31.593°N, 130.657°E
| Elevation 1117 m
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that explosions from Sakura-jima during 9-15 September produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.7 km (5,000-9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S, SE, and E.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Bagana
| Bougainville (Papua New Guinea)
| 6.137°S, 155.196°E
| Elevation 1855 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 12-13 September ash plumes from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 35-65 km NW and W.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Barren Island
| Andaman Islands (India)
| 12.278°N, 93.858°E
| Elevation 354 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-14 September ash plumes from Barren Island rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 20-100 km W and NE.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Batu Tara
| Komba Island (Indonesia)
| 7.791°S, 123.585°E
| Elevation 633 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 9-11 and 14-15 September ash plumes from Batu Tara rose to an altitude of 1.5 m (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 25-45 km W and NW.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Chaiten
| Chile
| 42.833°S, 72.646°W
| Elevation 1122 m
Based on web camera views and analyses of satellite imagery, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 15 September a diffuse ash plume from Chaitén's Domo Nuevo 1 and Domo Nuevo 2 lava-dome complex, possibly mixed with steam and gas, rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. The plume drifted NE and SE.
Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Dukono
| Halmahera (Indonesia)
| 1.693°N, 127.894°E
| Elevation 1229 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 12 and 14 September ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 25-75 km W and SW.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Fuego
| Guatemala
| 14.473°N, 90.88°W
| Elevation 3763 m
On 10 and 14 September, INSIVUMEH reported that explosions from Fuego produced ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 4.1-4.7 km (13,500-15,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted as far away as 10 km W, SW, and S. Some explosions were accompanied by rumbling noises and shock waves. Incandescent material was ejected 100 m high and avalanches descended multiple ravines.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Kilauea
| Hawaiian Islands (USA)
| 19.421°N, 155.287°W
| Elevation 1222 m
During 9-15 September, 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 ocean entry. Weak, sporadic explosions from the ocean entry were seen on 10 September. Occasional thermal anomalies detected in satellite images and visual observations revealed active surface lava flows.
The vent in Halema'uma'u crater continued to produce a diffuse white plume that drifted mainly SW. The plume briefly turned brown on 9 September from a rockfall. Small amounts of ash were retrieved from collection bins placed near the plume. Incandescence from small openings in the floor of the vent, about 200 m below the Halema'uma'u crater floor, was visible at night with varying intensity. During the night from 12 to13 September, spattering from the opening was seen on the web camera. The sulfur dioxide emission rate at the summit remained elevated; 900 tonnes per day was measured on 11 September. The 2003-2007 average rate was 140 tonnes per day.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Pacaya
| Guatemala
| 14.382°N, 90.601°W
| Elevation 2569 m
On 11 and 14 September, INSIVUMEH reported that white and blue plumes from Pacaya's MacKenney cone rose 300 m and drifted NW, S, and SW. Multiple lava flows 75-250 m long traveled W.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Popocatepetl
| Mexico
| 19.023°N, 98.622°W
| Elevation 5393 m
CENAPRED reported that during 10-14 September emissions of steam and gas from Popocatépetl contained slight amounts of ash.
Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Rabaul
| New Britain (Papua New Guinea)
| 4.271°S, 152.203°E
| Elevation 688 m
RVO reported that during 4-10 September gray ash and white plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose 1.5 km above the crater. Ashfall was reported in Rabaul town (3-5 km NW) and surrounding areas. Occasionally, incandescence from the summit crater was seen at night, and incandescent lava fragments were ejected from the crater. Rumbling and roaring noises were reported. Several large explosions occurred during an eight-hour period one unspecified evening. Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-13 and 15 September ash plumes rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 35-130 km N and NW.
Sources: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Santa Maria
| Guatemala
| 14.757°N, 91.552°W
| Elevation 3745 m
On 14 September, INSIVUMEH reported that an explosion from Santa MarÃa's Santiaguito lava dome complex produced an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 3.3 km (10,800 ft) a.s.l. The plume drifted SW and cause ashfall downwind. Avalanches descended the SW flank of the dome.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Slamet
| Central Java (Indonesia)
| 7.242°S, 109.208°E
| Elevation 3428 m
The Darwin VAAC reported that on 12 September a low-level ash plume from Slamet was observed by a pilot. Ash was not identified on satellite imagery.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Suwanosejima
| Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
| 29.638°N, 129.714°E
| Elevation 796 m
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported explosions from Suwanose-jima during 13-14 September. Details of possible resulting ash plumes were not reported.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
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 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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A Google Earth network link for the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report was first made available on 1 April 2009. This file 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 page for that volcano and to the complete Weekly Report for that week.
