All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Aira (Japan) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Aira Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	On 15 August JMA reported an increase in the frequency of volcanic earthquakes detected under Minami-Dake Crater (Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) and that inflation became more rapid. This activity suggested an increase in the possibility of larger-scale explosions, prompting JMA to raise the Alert Level to 4 (on a 5-level scale). Elevated activity continued to be detected through 18 August. Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Cleveland (United States) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Cleveland Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	AVO reported that no unusual seismicity was detected at Cleveland during 12-18 August. Weather clouds prevented satellite and webcam views most days. On 18 August elevated surface temperatures were detected in satellite images and minor steam emissions were recorded by the webcam. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch. Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Cotopaxi (Ecuador) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Cotopaxi Andean Northern Volcanic Arc	On 14 August IG reported an earthquake swarm at Cotopaxi that began at 1721 and ended at 1806; the largest event, detected at 1723, was a M 2.7. A series of phreatic explosions on 15 August started with two small ones detected at 0402 and 0407. According to the Washington VAAC, ash plumes rose to altitudes of 12.2-13.7 km (40,000-45,000 ft) a.s.l.; lower parts of the plume drifted E and higher parts drifted SE. Ashfall occurred in areas to the N. IG noted that an explosion at 1027 generated an ash plumes that rose to an altitude of 17.9 km (58,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and E. A pyroclastic flow descended the W flank. The VAAC initially reported that ash from that event drifted 17 km W, 20 km NNW, and 8 km SE, and that plumes may have risen as high as 15.2 km (50,000 ft) a.s.l. and possibly higher. According to news articles, ashfall was reported in El Chasqui (48 km N), Machachi (22 km NW), Tambillo (32 km NNW), and in areas in S Quito (~45 km N) including Cutuglagua, Guamaní, Chillogallo, Santa Barbara, and Solanda. Parts of the Cotopaxi National Park was closed to visitors. During 15-16 August sulfur dioxide emissions were high, and remobilized ash from the W flank rose up to 3.3 km; no ashfall was reported and only minor amounts of a sulfur odor were noted by residents. Ash plumes rose 300 m on 17 August and drifted W; at 1824 an ash emission rose 700 m and drifted W. During times of clear views observers noted that winds pushed ash plumes down the W flank. Sources: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), El Comercio
Raung (Indonesia) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Raung Sunda Volcanic Arc	PVMBG reported that the eruption at Raung was ongoing during 24 July-10 August. Ash plumes rose 1.5 km above the crater and crater incandescence was visible. Seismicity fluctuated but remained elevated; RSAM values peaked on 4 August (the highest recorded since the beginning of the eruption) and then decreased again. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was reminded not to approach the crater within a 3-km radius. Based on satellite observations and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 12-14, 16, and 18 August multiple ash plumes from Raung rose to altitudes of 3.7-4 km (12,000-13,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 20-110 km W and WSW. Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Colima (Mexico) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Colima Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	Based on satellite images, webcam views, and notices from the Mexico City MWO, the Washington VAAC reported that during 12-16 August some of the daily ash emissions from Colima rose to altitudes of 4.9-5.8 km (16,000-19,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and SW. On 18 August an ash plume rose to an altitude of 5.2 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and slowly drifted W. Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Dukono (Indonesia) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Dukono Halmahera Volcanic Arc	Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 12 and 14-18 August ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted as far as 185 km W, N, NE, and E. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Fuego (Guatemala) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Fuego Central America Volcanic Arc	Based on INSIVUMEH notices, CONRED reported that moderate levels of activity at Fuego had been detected since 9 August. During 12-13 August there were eight explosions identified, along with rumbling and shock waves. Ash plumes rose 350 m above the crater. Incandescent material was ejected 200 m high, and avalanches descended the Las Lajas (SE), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), and Santa Teresa (W) drainages. Source: Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres (CONRED)
Karymsky (Russia) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that moderate explosive activity at Karymsky continued during 7-14 August. Satellite images detected a thermal anomaly on 6 August and ash plumes that drifted 25 km SW on 8 August. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kilauea (United States) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	HVO reported that seismicity at Kilauea remained at background levels during 12-18 August. The lava lake continued to circulate and spatter in the Overlook vent. Webcams recorded multiple incandescent outgassing vents within Pu'u 'O'o. The June 27th NE-trending lava flow continued to be active in three areas with surface flows within 4-8 km NE of Pu'u 'O'o Crater; smoke plumes from burning vegetation marked the most distal flows. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Semeru (Indonesia) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Semeru Sunda Volcanic Arc	PVMBG reported that during 16 July-10 August both white plumes and gray-to-brownish plumes from Semeru were observed rising as high as 600 m above the crater and drifting W and E; inclement weather sometimes prevented observations. Rockslides from the crater traveled 300 m down the flanks. Seismicity was dominated by explosions and emission signals. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale from 1-4); visitors and residents were warned to avoid the SE flank within 4 km of the crater. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Sheveluch (Russia) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that during 7-14 August lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by fumarolic activity, dome incandescence, and hot avalanches. Satellite images detected a daily thermal anomaly over the dome. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Shishaldin (United States) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Shishaldin Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	AVO reported that seismicity at Shishaldin continued to be elevated over background levels during 12-18 August, indicating that low-level eruptive activity confined to the summit crater continued. Cloud cover mostly prevented satellite and webcam observations; elevated surface temperatures were detected in satellite images on 13 August. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch. Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Sinabung (Indonesia) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sinabung Sunda Volcanic Arc	PVMBG reported that during 31 July-10 August foggy weather sometimes prevented visual observations of Sinabung and the growing lava dome in the summit crater. White plumes rose as high as 500 m above the crater, and lava flows on the flanks were incandescent as far as 2 km S to SE. The occurrence of pyroclastic flows per day ranged from one to seven, although none were noted on 8 August. The pyroclastic flows traveled as far as 4 km E to SE and generated ash plumes that rose as high as 3 km. Seismicity consisted of avalanche signals, low-frequency and hybrid events, tremor, tectonic events, and volcanic earthquakes; RSAM values increased due to an increase of avalanche signals. Based on information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 13 August a pyroclastic flow generated an ash plume that rose 1 km above the crater. A thermal anomaly was visible in satellite images. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), indicating that people within 7 km of the volcano on the SSE sector, and within 6 km in the ESE sector, should evacuate. Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Ubinas (Peru) | 12 August-18 August 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Ubinas Andean Central Volcanic Arc	Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) Observatorio Volcanológico del Sur (OVS) reported increased seismicity at Ubinas during 12-18 August, specifically an increase in the frequency of volcano-tectonic and hybrid signals. At 1016 on 15 August an ash-and-steam plume rose 1.6 km above the crater base. White and blue gas emissions rose from the crater on other days. Source: Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP)

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)