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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 15 February-21 February 2012
Name Country Volcanic Province Eruption Start Date Report Status
Cleveland United States Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc New
Kanaga United States Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc New
Reventador Ecuador Northern Andean Volcanic Arc 2008 Jul 27 New
Tinakula Solomon Islands Vanuatu Volcanic Arc 2018 Dec 8 (in or before) New
Tungurahua Ecuador Northern Andean Volcanic Arc New
Turrialba Costa Rica Central America Volcanic Arc New
Aira Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2017 Mar 25 Continuing
Bezymianny Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 2022 Mar 15 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 2024 Sep 15 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
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 20,740 individual reports over 1,248 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 338 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 Iliwerung Llaima Popocatepetl Sumisujima
Agung Cuicocha Inielika Lokon-Empung Purace Sundoro
Ahyi Cumbal Ioto Lonquimay Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Suoh
Aira Dabbahu Irazu Lopevi Rabaul Suretamatai
Akan Davidof Iwatesan Machin Raikoke Suwanosejima
Alaid Dempo Iya Makushin Ranakah Taal
Alu-Dalafilla Descabezado Grande Izu-Torishima Maly Semyachik Raoul Island Tair, Jebel at
Ambae Dieng Volcanic Complex Jackson Segment Manam Rasshua Takawangha
Ambang Dukono Kaba Manda Hararo Raung Talang
Ambrym East Epi Kadovar Marapi Redoubt Tambora
Anatahan Ebeko Kaitoku Seamount Maroa Reventador Tanaga
Aniakchak Ebulobo Kama'ehuakanaloa Martin Reykjanes Tandikat-Singgalang
Antillanca Volcanic Complex Edgecumbe Kambalny Masaya Rincon de la Vieja Tangkoko-Duasudara
Antuco Egon Kanaga Matthew Island Rinjani Tangkuban Parahu
Apoyeque Ekarma Kanlaon Maule, Laguna del Ritter Island Tara, Batu
Arenal Eldey Karangetang Mauna Loa Rotorua Ta'u
Asamayama Erebus Karkar Mayon Ruang Taupo
Askja Erta Ale Karthala McDonald Islands Ruapehu Telica
Asosan Etna Karymsky Melebingoy Ruby Tenerife
Atka Volcanic Complex Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group] Kasatochi Melimoyu Ruiz, Nevado del Tengger Caldera
Augustine Eyjafjallajokull Katla Merapi Sabancaya Three Sisters
Avachinsky Fagradalsfjall Katmai Midagahara Sakar Tinakula
Awu Fernandina Kavachi Misti, El Salak Tofua
Axial Seamount Fogo Kelimutu Miyakejima San Cristobal Tokachidake
Azul, Cerro Fonualei Kelud Momotombo San Miguel Tolbachik
Azumayama Fournaise, Piton de la Kerinci Monowai San Vicente Toliman
Bagana Fourpeaked Ketoi Montagu Island Sangay Tongariro
Balbi Fuego Kharimkotan Moyorodake [Medvezhia] Sangeang Api Trident
Bamus Fujisan Kick 'em Jenny Mutnovsky Santa Ana Tungurahua
Banda Api Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba Kie Besi Myojinsho Santa Maria Turrialba
Bardarbunga Galeras Kikai Nabro Sao Jorge Ubinas
Barren Island Galunggung Kilauea Negra, Sierra Sarigan Ugashik-Peulik
Batur Gamalama Kirishimayama Negro, Cerro Sarychev Peak Ukinrek Maars
Bezymianny Gamkonora Kita-Ioto Nightingale Island Saunders Ulawun
Bogoslof Gareloi Kizimen Nishinoshima Savo Unnamed
Brava Gaua Klyuchevskoy Nisyros Semeru Unnamed
Bristol Island Gorely Kolokol Group Novarupta Semisopochnoi Veniaminof
Bulusan Great Sitkin Koryaksky NW Rota-1 Seulawah Agam Villarrica
Calbuco Grimsvotn Krakatau Nyamulagira Sheveluch Vulcano
Callaqui Guagua Pichincha Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker Nyiragongo Shishaldin West Mata
Cameroon Guallatiri Krysuvik-Trolladyngja Ofu-Olosega Simbo Westdahl
Campi Flegrei Guntur Kuchinoerabujima Okataina Sinabung Whakaari/White Island
Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia Hachijojima Kurikomayama Okmok Sinarka Witori
Cayambe Hakoneyama Kusatsu-Shiranesan Ontakesan Siple Wolf
Chachadake [Tiatia] Heard Kverkfjoll Oraefajokull Sirung Wrangell
Chaiten Hekla La Palma Osorno Slamet Yakedake
Chiginagak Helgrindur Lamington Pacaya Snaefellsjokull Yasur
Chikurachki Hierro Lamongan Pagan Soputan Yellowstone
Chiles-Cerro Negro Hokkaido-Komagatake Langila Palena Volcanic Group Sorikmarapi Yufu-Tsurumi
Chillan, Nevados de Home Reef Lanin Paluweh Sotara Zaozan [Zaosan]
Chirinkotan Hood Lascar Panarea Soufriere Hills Zavodovski
Chirpoi Huaynaputina Late Papandayan Soufriere St. Vincent Zhupanovsky
Ciremai Hudson, Cerro Lateiki Pavlof South Sarigan Seamount Zubair Group
Cleveland Huila, Nevado del Lengai, Ol Doinyo Pelee Spurr
Colima Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Leroboleng Peuet Sague St. Helens
Colo Ibu Lewotobi Pinatubo Stromboli
Concepcion Ijen Lewotolok Planchon-Peteroa Sulu Range
Copahue Iliamna Little Sitkin Poas Sumbing
 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 Cleveland
AVO reported that during 15-18 and 20-21 February no observations of elevated surface temperatures or ash emissions from Cleveland were noted. On 17 February, AVO reported that partly-cloudy satellite observations over the past week revealed that the lava dome had grown to about 60 m in diameter. On 19 February an elevated surface temperature was detected in satellite images. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. No current seismic information was available because Cleveland does not have a real-time seismic network.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Report for Kanaga
AVO reported possible explosive activity at Kanaga on 18 February. Volcanic tremor detected during 0623-0627 was followed by about an hour of numerous small seismic events. Satellite images showed a detached ash plume, 8 km in length, which drifted 39 km NE. AVO raised the Aviation Color Code to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory on 18 February. Elevated seismic activity continued on 19 February, and photographs taken by a local observer showed a small steam plume. Clouds prevented views of the volcano during 19-21 February.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Report for Reventador
IG reported that activity continued at Reventador during 15-21 February. Satellite images showed a thermal anomaly on the NE flank from the lava flow that was observed on 12 February. Clouds prevented views on 17, 19, and 21 February. Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported an ash plume that drifted 19 km SE on 16 February. IG observed an ash plume that rose 100 m above the crater on 18 February.
Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Report for Tinakula
According to NASA's Earth Observatory, thermal anomalies from Tinakula were detected in satellite data during 13-14 February and a gas plume with possible ash content rose from the volcano on 14 February.
Source: NASA Earth Observatory
Report for Tungurahua
IG reported continuing activity at Tungurahua during 15-21 February. Increased seismicity and constant harmonic tremor were detected on 16 February. Based on information from the Guayaquil MWO and IG, the Washington VAAC reported that during 17-18 February emissions rose to an altitude of 6 km (19, 500 ft) a.s.l. IG also noted that a steam plume with small amounts of ash drifted WSW on 19 February and W on 21 February.
Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Report for Turrialba
OVSICORI-UNA reported that while conducting field work at Turrialba during 2-3 February, scientists observed incandescence with temperatures between 600-700 degrees Celsius from the three main vents of the W crater. The vents are comprised of the 2010 vent (on the SW rim), the 2011 vent (on the N side at the bottom of the crater), and the 2012 vent (on the SE flank).
Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
Report for Aira
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 15-16 and 18-21 February explosions from Sakura-jima produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, and SE.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Bezymianny
KVERT reported that seismic activity increased at Bezymianny on 12 February and remained elevated through 19 February. The size and brightness of a thermal anomaly observed in satellite images both increased during this interval. Blocks possibly extruded from the top of the lava dome. KVERT raised the Aviation Color Code to Orange on 19 February.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Hierro
Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) reported that during 15-16 February the amplitude of the tremor showed very low values, and after 17 February the tremor signal could not be clearly recognized in the seismic records. Very weak and intermittent discoloration was observed in the emission area. By the end of the reported period, there was no clear instrumental evidence of continuous eruptive activity.

One hundred and thirty-five seismic events were located, most of them in the central part of the island, with offshore events extending to the S. Depths of the hypocenters varied between 6 and 20 km and magnitudes between 0.2 and 2.5 (91 events with a magnitude equal or greater than 1). One event was felt by residents with a maximum intensity value of II (EMS-98). GPS data pointed to a slight uplift in some stations located at the N of the island.
Source: Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN)
Report for Karymsky
KVERT reported that seismic activity continued at a moderate level at Karymsky during 10-17 February and indicated that possible ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. Satellite imagery showed a thermal anomaly at the volcano all week. According to visual observations from Koryaksky volcano, gas-and-steam activity occurred at Karymsky on 12 February. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Kilauea
During 15-21 February, HVO reported that the lava lake circulated and periodically rose and fell in the deep pit within Kilauea's Halema'uma'u Crater. Strong incandescence was visible from the collapsed cone on the NE edge and weaker from a cone on the SE edge during 15-18 and 20 February. A web camera recorded strong incandescence above the pali during 15-16 February. Incandescence also emanated from two sources on the E flank on 19 and 21 February.

Web camera views and satellite images indicated that lava flows remained active within the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision more than 6.5 km SE of Pu'u 'O'o during 15-21 February. The flows advanced down the pali along the E side of the December 2011 flows during the week and on 21 February advanced to the kipuka on the E. On 17 February a second smaller branch appeared on the W side of the December 2011 flows. Ground-based observers reported active lava flows at the top of the pali during 15-21 February.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Kizimen
KVERT reported moderate seismic activity at Kizimen during 10-17 February 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. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Popocatepetl
CENAPRED reported that during 15-21 February steam-and-gas emissions rose from Popocatépetl; some of the emissions contained small amounts of ash on 16 and 20-21 February. Crater incandescence was observed during 16 and 19-21 February.
Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Report for Puyehue-Cordon Caulle
Based on seismicity detected during 15-21 February, 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. During 14-16 and 20-21 February plumes observed with a web camera rose 1 km above the crater; clouds prevented views during 17-19 February. Satellite images showed ash plumes drifting 12-180 km NE, ENE, SE, and ESE during 14-15 and 18-21 February. Clouds prevented views from satellite during 16-17 February. Crater incandescence was observed during 14-15 February. The Alert Level remained at Red.
Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
Report for Sheveluch
KVERT reported that low levels of seismic activity were detected at Shiveluch during 10-17 February. Satellite imagery showed a weak thermal anomaly during 10-11 and 15-16 February. Ground-based observers noted that a viscous lava flow continued to effuse in the crater that was formed during a 2010 eruption. Moderate fumarolic activity at the lava dome was observed on 14 February; clouds prevented observations on the other days of the week. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)