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Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

Weekly Volcanic Activity Map

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 9 September-15 September 2009
Name Country Volcanic Region Eruption Start Date Report Status
Langila Papua New Guinea Bismarck Volcanic Arc 2015 Oct 22 (?) New
Mayon Philippines Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc New
Sheveluch Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 1999 Aug 15 New
Aira Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2017 Mar 25 Continuing
Bagana Papua New Guinea Solomon Volcanic Arc 2000 Feb 28 (in or before) Continuing
Barren Island India Andaman Volcanic Province Continuing
Batu Tara Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc Continuing
Chaiten Chile Southern Andean Volcanic Arc Continuing
Dukono Indonesia Halmahera Volcanic Arc 1933 Aug 13 Continuing
Fuego Guatemala Central America Volcanic Arc 2002 Jan 4 Continuing
Kilauea United States Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group 2024 Dec 23 Continuing
Pacaya Guatemala Central America Volcanic Arc Continuing
Popocatepetl Mexico Trans-Mexican Volcanic Arc 2005 Jan 9 Continuing
Rabaul Papua New Guinea Bismarck Volcanic Arc Continuing
Santa Maria Guatemala Central America Volcanic Arc 1922 Jun 22 Continuing
Slamet Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc Continuing
Suwanosejima Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2004 Oct 23 Continuing
All times are local unless otherwise stated.
Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 21,396 individual reports over 1,275 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 339 different volcanoes.

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

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Adams Cotopaxi Ijen Lewotobi Peuet Sague St. Helens
Agung Cuicocha Iliamna Lewotolok Pinatubo Stromboli
Ahyi Cumbal Iliwerung Little Sitkin Planchon-Peteroa Sulu Range
Aira Dabbahu Inielika Llaima Poas Sumbing
Akan Davidof Ioto Lokon-Empung Popocatepetl Sumisujima
Alaid Dempo Irazu Lonquimay Purace Sundoro
Alu-Dalafilla Descabezado Grande Iwatesan Lopevi Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Suoh
Ambae Dieng Volcanic Complex Iya Machin Rabaul Suretamatai
Ambang Dukono Izu-Torishima Makushin Raikoke Suwanosejima
Ambrym East Epi Jackson Segment Maly Semyachik Ranakah Taal
Anatahan Ebeko Kaba Manam Raoul Island Tair, Jebel at
Aniakchak Ebulobo Kadovar Manda Hararo Rasshua Takawangha
Antillanca Volcanic Complex Edgecumbe Kaitoku Seamount Marapi Raung Talang
Antuco Egon Kama'ehuakanaloa Maroa Redoubt Tambora
Apoyeque Ekarma Kambalny Martin Reventador Tanaga
Arenal Eldey Kanaga Masaya Reykjanes Tandikat-Singgalang
Asamayama Erebus Kanlaon Matthew Island Rincon de la Vieja Tangkoko-Duasudara
Askja Erta Ale Karangetang Maule, Laguna del Rinjani Tangkuban Parahu
Asosan Etna Karkar Mauna Loa Ritter Island Tara, Batu
Atka Volcanic Complex Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group] Karthala Mayon Rotorua Ta'u
Augustine Eyjafjallajokull Karymsky McDonald Islands Ruang Taupo
Avachinsky Fagradalsfjall Kasatochi Melebingoy Ruapehu Telica
Awu Fentale Katla Melimoyu Ruby Tenerife
Axial Seamount Fernandina Katmai Merapi Ruiz, Nevado del Tengger Caldera
Azul, Cerro Fogo Kavachi Midagahara Sabancaya Three Sisters
Azumayama Fonualei Kelimutu Misti, El Sakar Tinakula
Bagana Fournaise, Piton de la Kelud Miyakejima Salak Tofua
Balbi Fourpeaked Kerinci Momotombo San Cristobal Tokachidake
Bamus Fuego Ketoi Monowai San Miguel Tolbachik
Banda Api Fujisan Kharimkotan Montagu Island San Vicente Toliman
Bardarbunga Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba Kick 'em Jenny Moyorodake [Medvezhia] Sangay Tongariro
Barren Island Galeras Kie Besi Mutnovsky Sangeang Api Trident
Batur Galunggung Kikai Myojinsho Santa Ana Tungurahua
Bezymianny Gamalama Kilauea Nabro Santa Maria Turrialba
Bogoslof Gamkonora Kirishimayama Negra, Sierra Sao Jorge Ubinas
Brava Gareloi Kita-Ioto Negro, Cerro Sarigan Ugashik-Peulik
Bristol Island Gaua Kizimen Nightingale Island Sarychev Peak Ukinrek Maars
Bulusan Gede Klyuchevskoy Nishinoshima Saunders Ulawun
Calbuco Gorely Kolokol Group Nisyros Savo Unnamed
Callaqui Great Sitkin Kolumbo Northern EPR at 9.8°N Semeru Unnamed
Cameroon Grimsvotn Koryaksky Novarupta Semisopochnoi Veniaminof
Campi Flegrei Guagua Pichincha Krakatau NW Rota-1 Seulawah Agam Villarrica
Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia Guallatiri Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker Nyamulagira Sheveluch Vulcano
Cayambe Guntur Krysuvik-Trolladyngja Nyiragongo Shishaldin West Mata
Chachadake [Tiatia] Hachijojima Kuchinoerabujima Ofu-Olosega Simbo Westdahl
Chaiten Hakoneyama Kurikomayama Okataina Sinabung Whakaari/White Island
Chiginagak Heard Kusatsu-Shiranesan Okmok Sinarka Witori
Chikurachki Hekla Kverkfjoll Ontakesan Siple Wolf
Chiles-Cerro Negro Helgrindur La Palma Oraefajokull Sirung Wrangell
Chillan, Nevados de Hierro Lamington Osorno Slamet Yakedake
Chirinkotan Hokkaido-Komagatake Lamongan Pacaya Snaefellsjokull Yasur
Chirpoi Home Reef Langila Pagan Soputan Yellowstone
Ciremai Hood Lanin Palena Volcanic Group Sorikmarapi Yufu-Tsurumi
Cleveland Huaynaputina Lascar Paluweh Sotara Zaozan [Zaosan]
Colima Hudson, Cerro Late Panarea Soufriere Hills Zavodovski
Colo Huila, Nevado del Lateiki Papandayan Soufriere St. Vincent Zhupanovsky
Concepcion Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Lengai, Ol Doinyo Pavlof South Sarigan Seamount Zubair Group
Copahue Ibu Leroboleng Pelee Spurr
 News Feeds and Google Placemarks


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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.



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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

 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)

Report for Langila
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)
Report for Mayon
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)
Report for Sheveluch
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)
Report for Aira
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)
Report for Bagana
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)
Report for Barren Island
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)
Report for Batu Tara
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)
Report for Chaiten
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)
Report for Dukono
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)
Report for Fuego
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)
Report for Kilauea
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)
Report for Pacaya
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)
Report for Popocatepetl
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)
Report for Rabaul
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)
Report for Santa Maria
On 14 September, INSIVUMEH reported that an explosion from Santa María'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)
Report for Slamet
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)
Report for Suwanosejima
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)