All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Chirpoi (Russia) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Chirpoi Kuril Volcanic Arc	SVERT reported that a thermal anomaly was detected over Snow, a volcano of Chirpoi, during 11 and 13-15 December. A steam-and-gas plume was observed on 15 December. Cloud cover prevented observations of the volcano on other days during 10-17 December. Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)
Karangetang (Indonesia) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Karangetang Sangihe Volcanic Arc	Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 16 December an ash plume from Karangetang rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 110 km SW. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Kilauea (United States) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	During 12-18 December HVO reported that on most days the circulating lava lake periodically rose and fell in the deep pit within Kilauea's Halema'uma'u Crater. Occasional measurements indicated that the gas plume from the vent continued to deposit variable amounts of ash, spatter, and Pele's hair onto nearby areas. At Pu'u 'O'o Crater, glow emanated from spatter cones on the SE part of the crater floor, from a spatter cone at the NW edge of the floor, and from a lava lake on the NE part of the floor which was mostly covered by a spatter cone. The lava lake overflowed during 12-13 December, and on 13 December lava flowed from the SW spatter cone. On 14 December the N rim of the NE spatter cone/lava lake collapsed and was followed by a brief overflow of the lake. A larger lava flow issued from a spatter cone on the N edge of the crater floor, followed by another smaller flow; both flows traveled W, then split and flowed N and S. Another rim collapse from the NE spatter cone/lava lake and small overflow were observed the next day. Lava flows remained active in two branches on the coastal plain: a small W branch, and a larger E branch with scattered activity extending from the pali to the coast E of the easternmost boundary of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. An ocean entry was marked by a weak and variable plume near Kupapa'u, with lava entering the water in at least two different areas. A new lava flow at the top of the pali was observed on 11 December. On 15 December observers noted that lava flows were active in a 1-km-wide area that stretched from near the base of the pali to the coast. On 16 December HVO noted that a lava delta at the ocean entry had slowly grown to be 50 m wide. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Klyuchevskoy (Russia) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Klyuchevskoy Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that during 7-14 December video footage and satellite imagery showed Strombolian explosions at Kliuchevskoi, along with crater incandescence and gas-and-steam emissions. A thermal anomaly was detected in satellite images during 7-8, 10, and 12-13 December; cloud cover obscured views on the other days. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Lokon-Empung (Indonesia) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Lokon-Empung Sangihe Volcanic Arc	Based on ground reports from CVGHM, the Darwin VAAC reported that ash plumes rose from Lokon-Empung on 17 December. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Tolbachik (Russia) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Tolbachik Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows that traveled 17-20 km during 7-17 December. Strong seismicity was detected. Ash plumes rose less than 1 km and drifted in multiple directions, and at least two cones grew above the fissure. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Tungurahua Andean Northern Volcanic Arc	IG reported that on 1 December there was 47 mm of rainfall on the upper E and NE flanks of Tungurahua, generating lahars that descended the Vazcún drainage on the N flank. Seismic stations began recording signals representing the lahars at 1556, and by 1605 contingency plans were activated to warn people downstream. People at the resort of El Salado had been evacuated by the time the lahars reached the area. The lahar was 6 m deep, carried blocks 1-3 m in diameter, and covered drinking water tanks in some areas. Seismicity at Tungurahua reported by IG increased during 12-14 December. A large explosion at 1435 on 14 December produced a "cannon shot" sound and shook the ground. An ash-and-steam plume rose 6-7 km and drifted NW. Pyroclastic flows traveled down the SW flank. The Washington VAAC reported that an 11-km-wide detached ash plume was observed in satellite imagery drifting 17 km SE. On 15 December IG reported that an explosion was followed by an ash-and-gas plume that rose 2 km above the crater and drifted S and SE. Small amounts of ash fell in Runtún (6 km NNE). On 16 December a large explosion generated ash plumes that rose to a maximum height of 7 km and contained lightning. Other explosions generated ash plumes that rose 2 km. Satellite imagery showed ash plumes drifting 140 km NW, and 110 km NE at an altitude of 7.9 km (26,000 ft) a.s.l. Tephra fell in Cotaló (8 km NW), Pondoa (8 km N), Runtún, and Pillate (8 km W), and coarse ash fell in Baños (8 km N), Vascún, and Ulba (NNE). Medium-to-fine-grained ash fell in Palitahua (S), Choglontús (SW), Manzano (8 km SW), Capil, Guadalupe Observatory (11 km N), Cevallos (23 km NW), Tisaleo (29 km NW), Ambato (31 km NW), Patate (NW), Píllaro, Pelileo (8 km N), Salcedo, and Pujilí Latacunga, Rio Verde, Agoyán, and Palora. The larger explosions during the morning produced "cannon shots" that broke a window in a local building, and were followed by pyroclastic flows that descended the SW and NW flanks. During 16-17 December incandescent blocks were ejected from the crater and rolled down the flanks. On 17 December satellite images showed ash plumes drifting 50-130 km NE, and a dense ash plume drifting over 200 km NE at an altitude of 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. A thermal anomaly was also detected. IG noted that explosions continued to generate ash plumes, but with progressively decreasing ash content. Ash plumes drifted NNE and NE, causing ashfall in communities downwind. According to a news article, some of these communities were evacuated. The VAAC noted that a thermal anomaly was detected on 18 December. Ash plumes drifted 70 km W and 40 km SW. IG reported that seismicity remained elevated, and two pyroclastic flows traveled at most 3-4 km down the flanks and burned vegetation. Explosions rattled structures and ejected incandescent blocks. Ash plumes rose 2-3 km above the crater and drifted NW, W, and SW. Ash fell in multiple areas, and accumulated between 1 and 2 mm during 17-18 December in Juive (7 km NNW). Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), ABC News - American Broadcasting Corporation, Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Ulawun (Papua New Guinea) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Ulawun Bismarck Volcanic Arc	RVO reported that dense gray-brown ash plumes that began rising from Ulawun on 6 November ceased on 11 December. During 12-16 December variable amounts of white vapor plumes rose from the crater. Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

Aira (Japan) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Aira Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	JMA reported that during 10-14 December explosions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater ejected tephra as far as 1.8 km from the crater. Very small eruptions occurred at Minami-dake Crater periodically. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that explosions during 12-18 December often produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.4 km (5,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, E, and SE. Pilots reported that ash plumes rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. on 13 and 16 December. Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Bagana (Papua New Guinea) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Bagana Solomon Volcanic Arc	RVO reported that white vapor from Bagana was emitted during 1 November-12 December. Occasional weak incandescence from the crater was observed at night during 3-8, 10, 17-20, and 29-30 November. An eruption during 1200-1300 on 13 December was followed by light ashfall in Arawa (40 km SE) and heavier ashfall in Manetai (11 km E). A small amount of ashfall was reported in Arawa the next day; the volcano was mostly quiet during 14-15 December. Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
Batu Tara (Indonesia) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Batu Tara Sunda Volcanic Arc	Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) reported that on 14 December ash plumes from Batu Tara rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 75 km NW. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Fuego (Guatemala) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Fuego Central America Volcanic Arc	INSIVUMEH reported that during 12-14 December explosions from Fuego produced ash plumes that rose about 140-190 m and drifted SW. Incandescent lava flows traveled 150-200 m down the flanks. During 15-16 December lava flows traveled 200 m SW down the Taniluya drainage, producing incandescent block avalanches from the lava-flow fronts. Explosions during 17-18 December produced ash plumes that rose 400 m and drifted 7 km W and SW. Incandescence emanated 150 m above the crater. Blocks from lava-flow fronts in the Taniluya drainage rolled down the flanks, reaching vegetated areas. Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Karymsky (Russia) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that weak-to-moderate seismic activity at Karymsky was detected during 7-14 December. Seismic data indicated that ash plumes possibly rose to an altitude of 3 km (9,800 ft) a.s.l. on 12 December. Satellite imagery showed a thermal anomaly on the volcano on 9 and 12-13 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kizimen (Russia) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kizimen Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that seismic activity at Kizimen had gradually decreased. Video data showed incandescence from the crater and moderate gas-and-steam activity. Satellite images detected a thermal anomaly over the volcano but the intensity of the anomaly had also gradually decreased. On 12 December the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Manam (Papua New Guinea) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Manam Bismarck Volcanic Arc	RVO reported that during 8-14 December both diffuse and dense ash plumes rose 400 m above Manam's Southern Crater and drifted NW. Ejected incandescent tephra was observed at night, and small volumes of lava continued to flow from two vents located on the upper slopes of the SE valley. White vapor plumes rose from Main Crater during the reporting period. Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
Mayon (Philippines) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Mayon Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc	PHIVOLCS reported that since the Alert Level for Mayon was lowered to 1 on 2 March, seismicity decreased, and ground and tilt monitoring data suggested regional faulting and not magmatic intrusion. Steaming from the crater was diffuse and crater incandescence had ceased in March. Sulfur dioxide emissions had decreased to below baseline levels. On 27 November the Alert Level was lowered to 0 and the public was reminded not to enter the 6-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
Paluweh (Indonesia) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Paluweh Sunda Volcanic Arc	Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 14-15 December ash plumes from Paluweh rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 35-65 km NW and W. On 17 December an ash plume rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 55 km E. The next day an ash plume drifted 55 km E at altitudes of 3.4-3.7 km (11,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Popocatepetl (Mexico) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Popocatepetl Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	CENAPRED reported that during 12-18 December seismicity at Popocatépetl indicated continuing gas-and-steam emissions that contained minor amounts of ash. Variable incandescence from the crater was observed most nights. During 13-15 December gas-and-steam plumes rose at most 1 km above the crater and drifted NE, E, and SE. On 17 December ejected incandescent tephra landed 500 m away from the crater on the NE flank. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two. Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Santa Maria (Guatemala) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Santa Maria Central America Volcanic Arc	INSIVUMEH reported that during 12-13 December incandescence from Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex was visible and lava flows were active on the flanks. During 13-14 December avalanches were produced from the fronts of lava flows on the SE flank. Ash plumes that rose from the avalanches drifted 10 km S, producing ashfall in La Florida (5 km S) and El Faro (SW flank). During 15-18 December incandescence emanated from the SW part of the lava dome. Avalanches were again produced from the fronts of lava flows on the SE flank. Ash plumes from the avalanches drifted 8 km during 15-16 December. Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Sheveluch (Russia) | 12 December-18 December 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	Based on visual observations and analyses of satellite data, KVERT reported that during 7-14 December a viscous lava flow continued to effuse on the NW flank of Shiveluch's lava dome, accompanied by hot avalanches, incandescence, and fumarolic activity. Satellite imagery showed a daily thermal anomaly on the lava dome. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 20,322 individual reports over 1,229 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 336 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.

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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)