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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 6 January-12 January 2016
Name Country Volcanic Region Eruption Start Date Report Status
Masaya Nicaragua Central America Volcanic Arc 2015 Oct 3 New
Soputan Indonesia Sangihe Volcanic Arc New
Chirpoi Russia Kuril Volcanic Arc Continuing
Colima Mexico Trans-Mexican Volcanic Arc Continuing
Copahue Chile-Argentina Southern Andean Volcanic Arc Continuing
Dukono Indonesia Halmahera Volcanic Arc 1933 Aug 13 Continuing
Fuego Guatemala Central America Volcanic Arc 2002 Jan 4 Continuing
Karangetang Indonesia Sangihe Volcanic Arc Continuing
Karymsky Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc Continuing
Kilauea United States Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group 2024 Dec 23 Continuing
Lokon-Empung Indonesia Sangihe Volcanic Arc Continuing
Semeru Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc 2017 Jun 6 Continuing
Sheveluch Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 1999 Aug 15 Continuing
Sinabung Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc Continuing
Suwanosejima Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2004 Oct 23 Continuing
Tengger Caldera Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc Continuing
All times are local unless otherwise stated.
Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 21,226 individual reports over 1,268 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 Pinatubo Stromboli
Agung Cuicocha Iliamna Lewotolok Planchon-Peteroa Sulu Range
Ahyi Cumbal Iliwerung Little Sitkin Poas Sumbing
Aira Dabbahu Inielika Llaima Popocatepetl Sumisujima
Akan Davidof Ioto Lokon-Empung Purace Sundoro
Alaid Dempo Irazu Lonquimay Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Suoh
Alu-Dalafilla Descabezado Grande Iwatesan Lopevi Rabaul Suretamatai
Ambae Dieng Volcanic Complex Iya Machin Raikoke Suwanosejima
Ambang Dukono Izu-Torishima Makushin Ranakah Taal
Ambrym East Epi Jackson Segment Maly Semyachik Raoul Island Tair, Jebel at
Anatahan Ebeko Kaba Manam Rasshua Takawangha
Aniakchak Ebulobo Kadovar Manda Hararo Raung Talang
Antillanca Volcanic Complex Edgecumbe Kaitoku Seamount Marapi Redoubt Tambora
Antuco Egon Kama'ehuakanaloa Maroa Reventador Tanaga
Apoyeque Ekarma Kambalny Martin Reykjanes Tandikat-Singgalang
Arenal Eldey Kanaga Masaya Rincon de la Vieja Tangkoko-Duasudara
Asamayama Erebus Kanlaon Matthew Island Rinjani Tangkuban Parahu
Askja Erta Ale Karangetang Maule, Laguna del Ritter Island Tara, Batu
Asosan Etna Karkar Mauna Loa Rotorua Ta'u
Atka Volcanic Complex Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group] Karthala Mayon Ruang Taupo
Augustine Eyjafjallajokull Karymsky McDonald Islands Ruapehu Telica
Avachinsky Fagradalsfjall Kasatochi Melebingoy Ruby Tenerife
Awu Fentale Katla Melimoyu Ruiz, Nevado del Tengger Caldera
Axial Seamount Fernandina Katmai Merapi Sabancaya Three Sisters
Azul, Cerro Fogo Kavachi Midagahara Sakar Tinakula
Azumayama Fonualei Kelimutu Misti, El Salak Tofua
Bagana Fournaise, Piton de la Kelud Miyakejima San Cristobal Tokachidake
Balbi Fourpeaked Kerinci Momotombo San Miguel Tolbachik
Bamus Fuego Ketoi Monowai San Vicente Toliman
Banda Api Fujisan Kharimkotan Montagu Island Sangay Tongariro
Bardarbunga Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba Kick 'em Jenny Moyorodake [Medvezhia] Sangeang Api Trident
Barren Island Galeras Kie Besi Mutnovsky Santa Ana Tungurahua
Batur Galunggung Kikai Myojinsho Santa Maria Turrialba
Bezymianny Gamalama Kilauea Nabro Sao Jorge Ubinas
Bogoslof Gamkonora Kirishimayama Negra, Sierra Sarigan Ugashik-Peulik
Brava Gareloi Kita-Ioto Negro, Cerro Sarychev Peak Ukinrek Maars
Bristol Island Gaua Kizimen Nightingale Island Saunders Ulawun
Bulusan Gede Klyuchevskoy Nishinoshima Savo Unnamed
Calbuco Gorely Kolokol Group Nisyros Semeru Unnamed
Callaqui Great Sitkin Kolumbo Novarupta Semisopochnoi Veniaminof
Cameroon Grimsvotn Koryaksky NW Rota-1 Seulawah Agam Villarrica
Campi Flegrei Guagua Pichincha Krakatau Nyamulagira Sheveluch Vulcano
Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia Guallatiri Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker Nyiragongo Shishaldin West Mata
Cayambe Guntur Krysuvik-Trolladyngja Ofu-Olosega Simbo Westdahl
Chachadake [Tiatia] Hachijojima Kuchinoerabujima Okataina Sinabung Whakaari/White Island
Chaiten Hakoneyama Kurikomayama Okmok Sinarka Witori
Chiginagak Heard Kusatsu-Shiranesan Ontakesan Siple Wolf
Chikurachki Hekla Kverkfjoll Oraefajokull Sirung Wrangell
Chiles-Cerro Negro Helgrindur La Palma Osorno Slamet Yakedake
Chillan, Nevados de Hierro Lamington Pacaya Snaefellsjokull Yasur
Chirinkotan Hokkaido-Komagatake Lamongan Pagan Soputan Yellowstone
Chirpoi Home Reef Langila Palena Volcanic Group Sorikmarapi Yufu-Tsurumi
Ciremai Hood Lanin Paluweh Sotara Zaozan [Zaosan]
Cleveland Huaynaputina Lascar Panarea Soufriere Hills Zavodovski
Colima Hudson, Cerro Late Papandayan Soufriere St. Vincent Zhupanovsky
Colo Huila, Nevado del Lateiki Pavlof South Sarigan Seamount Zubair Group
Concepcion Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Lengai, Ol Doinyo Pelee Spurr
Copahue Ibu Leroboleng Peuet Sague St. Helens
 News Feeds and Google Placemarks


Download Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network RSS Feed

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.



Download Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network CAP Feed

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Download Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network Link Download Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network Link

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 Masaya
INETER reported that during 6-8 January the lava lake at Masaya was observed in satellite images and sloshing sounds were noted. Gas emissions rose as high as 400 m above the crater and drifted W and SW. On 8 January very small explosions ejected tephra onto the crater.
Source: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER)
Report for Soputan
On 6 January BNPB reported that several explosions had been detected since the Alert Level for Soputan was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) on 4 January. Strombolian activity that began at 0350 on 5 January ejected incandescent material as high as 250 m above the crater. A booming sound at 0638 was followed by a pyroclastic flow that traveled 2.5 km down the ENE flank. Ash plumes rose 6.5 km above the crater and drifted W. Several villages in the districts of West Langowan (8 km E), Tompaso (11 km NE), and East Ratahan (14 km SE) reported ashfall. Residents and tourists were advised not to approach the craters within a radius of 4 km, or 6.5 km on the WSW flank.
Source: Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB)
Report for Chirpoi
SVERT reported that satellite images detected a thermal anomaly over Snow, a volcano of Chirpoi, on 9 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.
Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)
Report for Colima
Based on satellite images, wind data, webcam images, and notices from the Mexico City MWO, the Washington VAAC reported that during 6-12 January ash plumes from Colima rose to altitudes of 4.6-6.7 km (15,000-22,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, ENE, and E.
Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Copahue
Based on satellite and webcam views, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 6 January a gas and steam plume from Copahue with minor amounts of ash rose to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l.
Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Dukono
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-12 January ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of -3 km (7,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 55-175 km in multiple directions.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Fuego
INSIVUMEH reported that white fumarolic plumes rose as high as 350 m above Fuego during 7-12 January. Three weak explosions detected during 9-10 January generated low ash plumes that drifted SE.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Karangetang
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 12 January an ash plume from Karangetang rose to an altitude of 5.2 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 65 km NW.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Karymsky
KVERT reported that moderate explosive activity at Karymsky continued during 1-8 January. Satellite images detected a thermal anomaly during 1, 3-4, and 6-7 December, and ash plumes drifting as far as 200 km E during 3 and 5-6 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Kilauea
HVO reported that seismicity beneath Kilauea's summit, upper East Rift Zone, and Southwest Rift Zone was at background levels during 6-12 January. The lava lake continued to circulate and spatter in the Overlook vent. At 0351 on 8 January a rockfall triggered a small explosion that ejected lava fragments onto the crater rim. Webcams recorded multiple incandescent outgassing vents within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and high on the northeast rim. A short lava flow erupted onto the crater floor on 6 January. The June 27th NE-trending lava flow continued to be active within 6 km NE of Pu'u 'O'o Crater, burning some areas of forest.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Lokon-Empung
Although inclement weather sometimes obscured views of Lokon-Empung's Tompaluan Crater, PVMBG reported that during 30 December-7 January observers at the post in Kakaskasen Tomohon (North Sulawesi, 4 km from the crater), saw white plumes rising as high as 250 m above the crater. Seismicity fluctuated, and was dominated by shallow volcanic earthquakes and signals indicating emissions; the number of shallow volcanic earthquakes significantly increased on 3 January. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and tourists were reminded not to approach the crater within a radius of 2.5 km.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Report for Semeru
PVMBG reported that during 1 November 2015-4 January 2016 white and gray plumes from Semeru rose as high as 500 m above the crater and drifted E, S, and W; inclement weather sometimes prevented observations. In November nine incandescent avalanches traveled 100-500 m down the flanks. During December 2015-4 January 2016 incandescent material was occasionally ejected above the crater. Seismicity was dominated by signals indicating avalanches and emissions. 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)
Report for Sheveluch
KVERT reported that during 1-8 January lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by fumarolic activity, dome incandescence, ash explosions, and hot avalanches. A collapse from the W flank of the lava dome on 3 January produced a hot avalanche, and an ash plume that rose 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. Satellite images detected a daily and intense thermal anomaly over the dome. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Sinabung
Based on information from PVMBG, ground reports, and satellite images, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-12 January ash plumes from Sinabung rose to altitudes of 3.7-4.3 km (12,000-14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 15-40 km SW, W, NW, and NE.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Suwanosejima
Based on JMA notices and satellite-image analyses, the Tokyo VAAC reported an explosion at Suwanosejima on 6 January.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Tengger Caldera
Based on satellite and webcam images, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-12 January ash plumes from Tengger Caldera's Bromo cone rose to an altitude of 3.6 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 30-165 km in multiple directions.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)