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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 11 January-17 January 2012
Name Country Volcanic Province Eruption Start Date Report Status
Nyamulagira DR Congo Albertine Rift Volcanic Province 2018 Apr 18 New
Suwanosejima Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2004 Oct 23 New
Tungurahua Ecuador Northern Andean Volcanic Arc New
Turrialba Costa Rica Central America Volcanic Arc New
Zubair Group Yemen Red Sea Rift Volcanic Province New
Aira Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2017 Mar 25 Continuing
Fuego Guatemala Central America Volcanic Arc 2002 Jan 4 Continuing
Hierro Spain Canary Volcanic Province Continuing
Karymsky Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 2024 Jun 20 Continuing
Kilauea United States Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group Continuing
Kizimen Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc Continuing
Popocatepetl Mexico Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt 2005 Jan 9 Continuing
Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Chile Southern Andean Volcanic Arc Continuing
Santa Maria Guatemala Central America Volcanic Arc 1922 Jun 22 Continuing
Sheveluch Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 1999 Aug 15 Continuing
All times are local unless otherwise stated.
Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 20,531 individual reports over 1,239 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 336 different volcanoes.

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

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Agung Cotopaxi Iliamna Little Sitkin Planchon-Peteroa Stromboli
Ahyi Cuicocha Iliwerung Llaima Poas Sulu Range
Aira Cumbal Inielika Lokon-Empung Popocatepetl Sumbing
Akan Dabbahu Ioto Lonquimay Purace Sumisujima
Alaid Davidof Irazu Lopevi Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Sundoro
Alu-Dalafilla Dempo Iya Machin Rabaul Suoh
Ambae Descabezado Grande Izu-Torishima Makushin Raikoke Suretamatai
Ambang Dieng Volcanic Complex Jackson Segment Maly Semyachik Ranakah Suwanosejima
Ambrym Dukono Kaba Manam Raoul Island Taal
Anatahan East Epi Kadovar Manda Hararo Rasshua Tair, Jebel at
Aniakchak Ebeko Kaitoku Seamount Marapi Raung Takawangha
Antillanca Volcanic Complex Ebulobo Kama'ehuakanaloa Maroa Redoubt Talang
Antuco Edgecumbe Kambalny Martin Reventador Tambora
Apoyeque Egon Kanaga Masaya Reykjanes Tanaga
Arenal Ekarma Kanlaon Matthew Island Rincon de la Vieja Tandikat-Singgalang
Asamayama Eldey Karangetang Maule, Laguna del Rinjani Tangkoko-Duasudara
Askja Erebus Karkar Mauna Loa Ritter Island Tangkuban Parahu
Asosan Erta Ale Karthala Mayon Rotorua Tara, Batu
Atka Volcanic Complex Etna Karymsky McDonald Islands Ruang Ta'u
Augustine Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group] Kasatochi Melebingoy Ruapehu Taupo
Avachinsky Eyjafjallajokull Katla Melimoyu Ruby Telica
Awu Fagradalsfjall Katmai Merapi Ruiz, Nevado del Tenerife
Axial Seamount Fernandina Kavachi Midagahara Sabancaya Tengger Caldera
Azul, Cerro Fogo Kelimutu Misti, El Sakar Three Sisters
Azumayama Fonualei Kelud Miyakejima Salak Tinakula
Bagana Fournaise, Piton de la Kerinci Momotombo San Cristobal Tofua
Balbi Fourpeaked Ketoi Monowai San Miguel Tokachidake
Bamus Fuego Kharimkotan Montagu Island San Vicente Tolbachik
Banda Api Fujisan Kick 'em Jenny Moyorodake [Medvezhia] Sangay Toliman
Bardarbunga Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba Kie Besi Mutnovsky Sangeang Api Tongariro
Barren Island Galeras Kikai Myojinsho Santa Ana Trident
Batur Galunggung Kilauea Nabro Santa Maria Tungurahua
Bezymianny Gamalama Kirishimayama Negra, Sierra Sao Jorge Turrialba
Bogoslof Gamkonora Kita-Ioto Negro, Cerro Sarigan Ubinas
Brava Gareloi Kizimen Nightingale Island Sarychev Peak Ugashik-Peulik
Bristol Island Gaua Klyuchevskoy Nishinoshima Saunders Ukinrek Maars
Bulusan Gorely Kolokol Group Nisyros Savo Ulawun
Calbuco Great Sitkin Koryaksky Novarupta Semeru Unnamed
Callaqui Grimsvotn Krakatau NW Rota-1 Semisopochnoi Unnamed
Cameroon Guagua Pichincha Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker Nyamulagira Seulawah Agam Veniaminof
Campi Flegrei Guallatiri Krysuvik-Trolladyngja Nyiragongo Sheveluch Villarrica
Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia Guntur Kuchinoerabujima Ofu-Olosega Shishaldin Vulcano
Cayambe Hachijojima Kurikomayama Okataina Simbo West Mata
Chachadake [Tiatia] Hakoneyama Kusatsu-Shiranesan Okmok Sinabung Westdahl
Chaiten Heard Kverkfjoll Ontakesan Sinarka Whakaari/White Island
Chiginagak Hekla La Palma Oraefajokull Siple Witori
Chikurachki Helgrindur Lamington Osorno Sirung Wolf
Chiles-Cerro Negro Hierro Lamongan Pacaya Slamet Wrangell
Chillan, Nevados de Hokkaido-Komagatake Langila Pagan Snaefellsjokull Yakedake
Chirinkotan Home Reef Lanin Palena Volcanic Group Soputan Yasur
Chirpoi Hood Lascar Paluweh Sorikmarapi Yellowstone
Ciremai Huaynaputina Late Panarea Sotara Yufu-Tsurumi
Cleveland Hudson, Cerro Lateiki Papandayan Soufriere Hills Zaozan [Zaosan]
Colima Huila, Nevado del Lengai, Ol Doinyo Pavlof Soufriere St. Vincent Zavodovski
Colo Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Leroboleng Pelee South Sarigan Seamount Zhupanovsky
Concepcion Ibu Lewotobi Peuet Sague Spurr Zubair Group
Copahue Ijen Lewotolok Pinatubo St. Helens
 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 Nyamulagira
According to observations by scientists from the Afar Consortium Project, the fissure eruption at Nyamuragira that began on 6 November 2011 continued on 8 January 2012. The initial scoria cone appeared inactive and second cone formed to the N of the first cone. Both cones were about 300 m high. The second cone was extremely active during the duration of the observations (about 15 hours) with fire fountains over twice the height of the cone; lava flowed N. The observers, about 1.5 km away, felt the heat from the eruption as well as lapilli fall.
Source: Afar Rift Consortium
Report for Suwanosejima
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported an explosion from Suwanose-jima on 12 January. Details of a possible resulting plume were not reported.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Tungurahua
IG reported a new episode of activity and increased seismicity from Tungurahua during 11-17 January. On 12 January ashfall was reported in Manzano (8 km SW), Cahuají (8 km SW), and Choglontus (13 km WSW). A lahar descended the Achupashal drainage, carrying blocks up to 1 m in diameter, and caused the road to Baños (9 km N) to be closed. Cloud cover prevented observations of the crater. On 13 January ash-and-gas emissions were observed, and ash plumes rose as high as 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. Ash-fall was reported in Palitahua (6 km SSW) and roaring noises were heard in Cusúa (8 km NW) and Manzano. On 14 January ash emissions rose 500 m above the crater and drifted WSW; ashfall was reported in Choglontus, Palitahua, and Manzano. Clouds obscured views on 15 January; however ashfall was reported in Palitahua and Manzano. Lahars descended drainages in Juive (NW) and Pondoa (N), carrying blocks 10-20 cm in diameter.
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Report for Turrialba
OVSICORI-UNA reported that on 11 January local people around Turrialba heard several instances of rumbling. On 12 January an eruption occurred from a fissure on the SE flank of the main crater, in an area called La Quemada. An ash plume rose 500 m above the crater and drifted NNW, rising to an altitude of 4 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l. Later that day residents reported: a dark plume from La Quemada and a white vapor plume that rose from the fumarolic vent formed in the main crater on 5 January 2010.

According to a news article, the Turriabla National Park closed on 12 January and the National Emergency Commission (CNE) raised the Alert Level from Green to Yellow in the communities of La Central (34 km SW), Santa Cruz (7 km SE), and around the perimeter of the crater. Towns of Jiménez (21 km N), Oreamuno (45 km SW), Alvarado (38 km SW), and Cartago (25 km SW) remained at Alert Level Green.
Sources: La Nacion, Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
Report for Zubair Group
Satellite imagery acquired on 15 January from the Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on NASA's EO-1 satellite showed that the eruption in the northern part of the Zubair Group appeared to have stopped. The S end of the new island is about 500 m NNW of Rugged Island.
Source: NASA Earth Observatory
Report for Aira
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 11-17 January explosions from Sakura-jima produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.2-2.4 km (4,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, and SE. On 14 January a pilot observed an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Fuego
INSIVUMEH reported that during 11-13 and on 16 January explosions from Fuego generated ash plumes that rose 400-1,000 m above the crater; the plumes drifted 10-15 km in multiple directions. Explosions generated shock waves and rumbling sounds that were detected to the SW, and windows and roofs vibrated in nearby villages. Avalanches traveled SW into the Ceniza drainage and on the W, S, and SW flanks. At night on 13 and 16 January incandescence emanated from the crater.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Hierro
Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) reported that during 11-17 January, the submarine eruption continued S of El Hierro Island. The mean amplitude of the tremor moderately increased during the week. Eighteen seismic events were located during this period, two of them felt by residents of the island. Most of the events were grouped in the central part of the island, extending offshore to the S, at depths between 6 and 29 km, with a maximum magnitude of 2.5. Analyses of GPS deformation showed stability both in vertical and horizontal components.
Source: Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN)
Report for Karymsky
KVERT reported that seismic activity continued at a moderate level at Karymsky during 6-13 January and indicated that possible ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4.2 km (13,800 ft) a.s.l. Satellite imagery showed a thermal anomaly at the volcano during 5-11 January and weak ash plumes that drifted 40 km E and NE on 6, 7, and 11 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Kilauea
During 11-17 January, HVO reported that the lava lake circulated and periodically rose and fell in the deep pit within Kilauea's Halema'uma'u Crater, remaining below the inner ledge (75 m below the crater floor). Almost daily measurements indicated that the gas plume from the vent continued to deposit variable amounts of ash and fresh spatter nearby.

Incandescence was visible from small spatter cones on the E, S, and W edges of the Pu'u 'O'o crater floor during 11-17 January. Incandescence was also exhibited by short lava flows from the E pit on 13 January, small lava flows issuing from the SE spatter cone, and a small flow from the NE pit on 16 January. During 11-16 January a thermal anomaly about 2-4 km SE of Pu'u 'O'o cone was seen in satellite imagery. On 12 January, geologists on an overflight confirmed surface activity at this location. By 15 January the source of the thermal anomaly had extended to the coast.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Kizimen
KVERT reported moderate seismic activity at Kizimen during 6-13 January and a large thermal anomaly that was detected daily in satellite images. Video and satellite observations indicated both continued effusion of a large lava flow on the E flank and accompanying hot avalanches. Video data showed strong gas-and-steam activity all week, and on 11 January satellite images showed a gas-and-steam plume that drifted 40 km E. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Popocatepetl
CENAPRED reported that during 11-17 January steam-and-gas emissions rose from Popocatépetl; the plumes contained small amounts of ash during 13-17 January. Crater incandescence was observed at night during 16-17 January.
Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Report for Puyehue-Cordon Caulle
Based on seismicity during 11-16 January OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported that the eruption from the Cordón Caulle rift zone, part of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcanic complex, continued at a low level. Plumes observed with a web camera during the week rose 1-4 km above the crater, and satellite images showed ash plumes drifting 60-300 km N, NE, and SE. The Alert Level remained at Red. According to a news article, an airport cancelled all flights in and out of Bariloche, Patagonia, on 16 January because of ash plumes. An airport in Melbourne, Australia, was also forced to close due to ash from these eruptions.
Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN), BBC News
Report for Santa Maria
INSIVUMEH reported that during 11-12 and on 16 January explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated ash plumes that rose 600-800 m above the complex and drifted SW. Lava flows on 16 January on the SE and SW flanks generated block avalanches and rumbling noises.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Sheveluch
KVERT reported that low levels of seismic activity were detected at Shiveluch during 6-13 January. Satellite imagery showed a daily thermal anomaly over the lava dome. Ground-based observers noted that a viscous lava flow continued to effuse in the crater that was formed during a 2010 eruption and hot avalanches from the lava flow were observed at night with a web camera. Moderate fumarolic activity at the lava dome was observed all week except on 10 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)