Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

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 25 January-31 January 2017
Name	Country	Volcanic Province	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Chirinkotan	Russia	Kuril Volcanic Arc	—	New
Erta Ale	Ethiopia	Afar Rift Zone	1967 Jul 2 (in or before) ± 182 days	New
Etna	Italy	Sicily Volcanic Province	—	New
Takawangha	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	—	New
Unnamed	Tonga	Tofua Volcanic Arc	—	New
Bagana	Papua New Guinea	Solomon Volcanic Arc	2000 Feb 28 (in or before)	Continuing
Bogoslof	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Colima	Mexico	Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	—	Continuing
Dukono	Indonesia	Halmahera Volcanic Arc	1933 Aug 13	Continuing
Ebeko	Russia	Kuril Volcanic Arc	2022 Jun 11	Continuing
Fuego	Guatemala	Central America Volcanic Arc	2002 Jan 4	Continuing
Kilauea	United States	Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	—	Continuing
Langila	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	2015 Oct 22 (?)	Continuing
Nevado del Ruiz	Colombia	Andean Northern Volcanic Arc	2014 Nov 18	Continuing
Popocatepetl	Mexico	Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	2005 Jan 9	Continuing
Sabancaya	Peru	Andean Central Volcanic Arc	2016 Nov 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
Turrialba	Costa Rica	Central America Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Chirinkotan (Russia) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Chirinkotan
Kuril Volcanic Arc

Based on satellite images, SVERT reported that on 26 and 29 January ash plumes from Chirinkotan rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted at most 105 km E and S. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (on a four-color scale).

Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)

Erta Ale (Ethiopia) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Erta Ale
Afar Rift Zone

According to Volcano Discovery, visitors noted changes at Erta Ale’s lava lake during 16-20 January characterized by waves in the lava lake, intense spattering, fountaining, and rim overflows (mainly on 17 January) which traveled as far as 1 km. During the evening of 20 January explosions of very large gas bubbles ejected spatter 30 m high. Crater rim collapses affected the N crater where a new oval-shaped pit crater (150 x 30 m and 20 m depth) formed during a 24-hour period. A large collapse also occurred in the S part of the crater. The activity was accompanied by ash emissions that rose as high as 800 m. The report noted that on 21 January new fissures opened SSE from the summit caldera, producing large amounts of lava.

Satellite images acquired and processed by Planet Labs showed the new lava flows and gas-and-steam emissions from several vents (about 1.5 km SE from the overflow area at the SE caldera rim) on 23 January, and more new lava flows on 27 January. Both images showed lava flows advancing WSW, about 2.5 km S, and about 3 km NE. According to NASA's Earth Observatory, a satellite image acquired on 26 January showed two distinct infrared hotspots representing the SE lava flows. On 27 January Simon Carn stated that the eruption produced the largest SO2 emissions from Erta Ale ever measured from space.

Sources: NASA Earth Observatory, Volcano Discovery, Simon Carn, Planet Labs

Etna (Italy) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Etna
Sicily Volcanic Province

INGV reported that on the morning of 15 December 2016 minor emissions of brownish ash rose from the vent in the saddle between the newer cone and the old cone of Etna's Southeast Crater (SEC). That evening some of the emissions were more energetic, ejecting incandescent material out of the crater which landed on the steep S flank of the SEC cone. Analysis of samples of the ejected rock revealed no new material, only older material from the conduit walls. During the following five weeks weak ash emissions from the vent were observed, without being accompanied by incandescence.

During the early morning of 20 January the saddle vent was again active, with small black ash puffs and thermal anomalies identified by the surveillance camera. People on the SEC observed ejected incandescent material along with ash and blocks. Cloudy weather prevented visual observations for a few days; the evening of 23 January was cloud free and mild Strombolian activity was observed, accompanied by frequent emissions of small, black ash puffs. The activity gradually intensified through the night, with some explosions launching incandescent material as far as the base of the SEC cone. Fluctuating incandescence was also visible at the 7 August 2016 vent of the Voragine (VOR) crater. The frequency of explosions and ash emissions increased on 24 January but then slightly decreased the next morning.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

Takawangha (United States) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Takawangha
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

On 27 January AVO stated that the seismic swarm that began at Takawangha on 23 January had significantly decreased during the previous day. The rate of earthquakes peaked at 190 events on 24 January and had steadily decreased to 22 detected on 27 January. Most of the events were located 7-8 km ESE, at shallow depths. The swarm continued at a decreased rate and intensity through 31 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Unnamed (Tonga) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Unnamed
Tofua Volcanic Arc

Based on analysis of satellite images, GeoNet reported that a submarine eruption at an Unnamed volcano (GVP volcano number 243030) about 46 km NW of Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa began on 23 January. Activity was also identified in images from 26, 28, 29, and 31 January, characterized by discolored water, and a volcanic plume on 31 January.

Source: GeoNet

Bagana (Papua New Guinea) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Bagana
Solomon Volcanic Arc

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 25 January an ash plume from Bagana rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Bogoslof (United States) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Bogoslof
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that no further emissions were detected at Bogoslof after an explosion at 0453 on 24 January; the Aviation Color Code (ACC) was lowered to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level (VAL) was lowered to Watch the next day. An hour-long seismic increase began at 0134 on 25 January though no evidence of eruptive activity was evident. Based on lightning and seismic data an explosive event began at 0650 on 26 January, and another burst of seismicity was recorded at 0706. The ACC was raised to Red and the VAL was raised to Warning. An ice-rich cloud, first identified in satellite data at 0700, likely contained ash, and rose as high as 9.8 km (32,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE at lower altitudes, and NE at altitudes above about 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. The ACC was lowered to Orange and the VAL was lowered to Watch later that day. Lightning and seismic data again indicated an explosive event at 0824 on 27 January, prompting AVO to raise the Aviation Color Code (ACC) to Red and the Volcano Alert Level (VAL) to Warning. An ice-rich cloud that likely contained ash rose to an altitude of 7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E; seismicity related to ash emissions remained elevated for 48 minutes. The ACC was lowered to Orange and the VAL was lowered to Watch later that day.

Several short bursts of seismic activity were detected at 0520 and 0608 on 30 January. An infrasound signal accompanied the first event indicating an explosion; an eruption cloud was identified in satellite data at 0530, rising to an altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. later that day AVO noted that bursts of explosive activity continued and intensified; more than 10 short-duration explosions were detected in seismic, infrasound, and lightning data. The Aviation Color Code (ACC) was raised to Red and the Volcano Alert Level (VAL) was raised to Warning. Ash plumes rose as high as 7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 125 km SE. Trace amounts of ashfall and a sulfur odor were reported in Unalaska/Dutch Harbor (98 km E). By the next day the explosions had subsided or ended. Satellite images acquired on 31 January showed significant changes to the island. AVO stated that freshly erupted volcanic rock and ash had formed a barrier that separated the vent from the sea, suggesting that the change had resulted in the more ash-rich emissions occurring during 30-31 January.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Colima (Mexico) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Colima
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Based on webcam and satellite images, the Mexico City MWO, and model data, the Washington VAAC reported that during 25-29 January ash plumes from Colima rose to altitudes of 4.7-7 km (17,000-26,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. Ash plumes were identified in satellite images at least 370 and 650 km NE of Colima on 25 and 27 January, respectively.

Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Dukono (Indonesia) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Dukono
Halmahera Volcanic Arc

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 25-26 and 29-31 January ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.4 km (5,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, ESE, and SW.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Ebeko (Russia) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ebeko
Kuril Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that moderate gas-and-steam emissions possibly containing small amounts of ash may have continued at Ebeko during 20-27 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Fuego (Guatemala) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Fuego
Central America Volcanic Arc

Based on INSIVUMEH notices, CONRED reported that at 1345 on 25 January a Strombolian phase began at Fuego. Weak-to-moderate explosions generated ash plumes that rose 750 m above the crater rim and drifted 10 km W and SW. Lava fountains rose 200 m above the crater rim and fed lava flows that traveled 1 km SSW down the Ceniza drainage. Avalanches of material advanced more than 300 m down the Ceniza and Trinidad (S) drainages into vegetated areas. Ash fell on the SW and W flanks. The report also noted that a previous Strombolian phase had begun on 3 January.

INSIVUMEH reported that during 27-31 January explosions generated ash plumes that rose 500-900 m and drifted 5-10 km W, SW, S, and SE. Avalanches of material descended the Ceniza, Trinidad, and Santa Teresa (W) drainages.

Sources: Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres (CONRED), Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

Kilauea (United States) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kilauea
Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group

During 25-31 January HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise and fall, circulate, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook vent. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna. All surface flows were active within 2.4 km of Pu'u 'O'o.

HVO noted that thermal images showed a high-temperature area about 5-10 m from the edge of the sea cliff, with hot cracks running parallel to the cliff around the entry point, suggesting sea cliff instability. HVO scientists did not observe significant delta development from ground vantage points on 29 January. A stream of lava continued to pour into the ocean from an opening in a lava tube about 20 m above the water.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

Langila (Papua New Guinea) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Langila
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 25-27 January ash plumes from Langila rose to altitudes of 1.8-3 km (6,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and N.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Nevado del Ruiz
Andean Northern Volcanic Arc

Based on analysis of satellite images, the Washington VAAC reported that on 31 January an ash plume from Nevado del Ruiz rose to an altitude of 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.

Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Popocatepetl (Mexico) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Popocatepetl
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Each day during 25-31 January CENAPRED reported 2-55 steam and gas emissions from Popocatépetl and crater incandescence at night. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.

Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)

Sabancaya (Peru) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sabancaya
Andean Central Volcanic Arc

Based on webcam and satellite views, and seismic data, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that sporadic gas-and-ash puffs rose from Sabancaya during 25-31 January. Weather clouds sometimes prevented visual observations. A field team from IGP's Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur (OVS) visited Sabancaya on 26 January and observed ash plumes from explosions rising about 2 km above the crater rim.

Sources: Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP), Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Sheveluch (Russia) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sheveluch
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that during 20-27 January lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by strong fumarolic activity, dome incandescence, ash explosions, and hot avalanches. Satellite images showed a daily thermal anomaly over the dome. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Sinabung (Indonesia) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sinabung
Sunda Volcanic Arc

Based on PVMBG observations, Indonesian Met Office observations, satellite images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 27-30 January ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3.3-4.6 km (11,000-15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and SSE.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Suwanosejima (Japan) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Suwanosejima
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

Based on JMA notices and satellite-image analyses, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 26 January an ash plume from Suwanosejima rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Turrialba (Costa Rica) | 25 January-31 January 2017 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Turrialba
Central America Volcanic Arc

Based on webcam views, the Washington VAAC reported ongoing ash emissions at Turrialba on 27 January.

Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

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.

Search by Date

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

Search by Volcano

Puyehue-Cordon Caulle

Dieng Volcanic Complex

Antillanca Volcanic Complex

Atka Volcanic Complex

Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group]

Fournaise, Piton de la

Moyorodake [Medvezhia]

Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker

Krysuvik-Trolladyngja

Nyiragongo

Sheveluch

Villarrica

Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia

Whakaari/White Island

Palena Volcanic Group

Soufriere St. Vincent

Zavodovski

Colo

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai

Leroboleng

Pelee

South Sarigan Seamount

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

The CAP (Common Alerting Protocol) feeds are XML files specifically formatted for disaster management. They are similar in content to the RSS feed, but contain no active links.

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