Activity for the week of 31 May-6 June 2017
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, notices of volcanic activity posted on these pages are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail. This is not a comprehensive list of all of Earth's volcanoes erupting during the week, but rather a summary of activity at volcanoes that meet criteria discussed in detail in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section. Carefully reviewed, detailed reports on various volcanoes are published monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.
New Activity / Unrest
Bulusan
| Luzon (Philippines)
| 12.769°N, 124.056°E
| Elevation 1535 m
PHIVOLCS reported that a minor phreatic eruption at Bulusan occurred at 1029 on 5 June and was recorded by the seismic network for 12 minutes. The eruption could not be visually observed due to dense weather clouds covering the summit. Minor ashfall, a sulfuric odor, and rumbling sound were reported in barangays Monbon and Cogon in Irosin, while sulfuric odor was noted in barangay Bolos, Irosin. The Alert Level remained at 1, indicating abnormal conditions and a 4-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
Copahue
| Central Chile-Argentina border
| 37.856°S, 71.183°W
| Elevation 2953 m
OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported that webcams recorded an increase in ash emissions at Copahue on 4 June. There were no significant changes in the magnitude or number of earthquakes recorded by the seismic network. The report noted that due to inclement weather making visual observations difficult, the observatory did not know if the ash emission began in the early hours of 4 June, or the day before. The Alert Level was raised to Yellow (the second lowest on a four-color scale); SERNAGEOMIN recommended no entry into a restricted area within 1 km of the crater.
Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
Karymsky
| Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)
| 54.049°N, 159.443°E
| Elevation 1513 m
Based on Tokyo VAAC data, KVERT reported that an explosive eruption at Karymsky began at 0040 on 4 June. An ash plume rose 3 km (9,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted over 40 km NE. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Less than four hours later ash plumes rose 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 85 km ENE. The VAAC reported that a possible ash plumes rose 4 km 13,000 ft) a.s.l. during 5-6 June and drifted E.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Marapi
| Indonesia
| 0.38°S, 100.474°E
| Elevation 2885 m
PVMBG reported four explosions at Marapi on 4 June, each lasting less than one minute. The explosions occurred at 1001, 1011, 1256, and 1550, and produced dense ash-and-steam plumes that rose 300 m, at least 700 m, 200 m, and 250 m above the crater, respectively. The plumes drifted E. Ejected bombs were deposited around the crater. Seismicity increased after the explosions. Minor ashfall was reported in the Pariangan District (8 km SSE), Tanah Datar Regency. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and visitors were advised not to enter an area within 3 km of the summit.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Sheveluch
| Central Kamchatka (Russia)
| 56.653°N, 161.36°E
| Elevation 3283 m
KVERT reported that during 26-27 and 31 May powerful explosions at Sheveluch generated ash plumes that rose 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 550 km ESE and about 650 km WSW. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during 26 May-2 June. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Ongoing Activity
Aira
| Kyushu (Japan)
| 31.593°N, 130.657°E
| Elevation 1117 m
JMA reported 15 events at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 22-29 May, two of which were explosive. Material was ejected as high as 800 m above the crater rim. Ash plumes rose as high as 3.4 km on 31 May and 3 km on 2 June. Very small events occurred at Minamidake summit crater during 4-5 June. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Bagana
| Bougainville (Papua New Guinea)
| 6.137°S, 155.196°E
| Elevation 1855 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 3 and 5 May ash plumes from Bagana rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.1 km (5,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and SE.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Bogoslof
| Fox Islands (USA)
| 53.93°N, 168.03°W
| Elevation 150 m
AVO reported that a short-duration (less than 10 minute) explosion at Bogoslof began at 1842 on 31 May based on seismic and infrasound data. A volcanic cloud identified in satellite images rose 7.3 km (24,000 ft) a.s.l., drifted WNW, and dissipated over the Bering Sea. The explosion was preceded by a several hour-long swarm of very small earthquakes. Seismicity decreased in the hours prior to the explosion and remained below the detection threshold. A sulfur dioxide plume from an explosion on 28 May was visible in satellite data drifting over the Hudson Bay region of Canada on 2 June. A short-duration explosive event at 0750 on 5 June produced a small volcanic cloud observed by a pilot. Low-amplitude tremor was detected in seismic data beginning at about 1229 on 5 June but then decreased to background levels. A vessel in the area reported vigorous steaming and a white plume rising several thousand feet above sea level. A brief explosive event was detected at 0600 on 6 June. The event likely produced a low-level (less than 3 km or 10,000 ft a.s.l.) emission; a possible plume at 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. was identified in a satellite image following the detection of the activity in seismic and infrasound data, but quickly dissipated. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Cleveland
| Chuginadak Island (USA)
| 52.825°N, 169.944°W
| Elevation 1730 m
AVO reported that no significant volcanic activity at Cleveland was detected in seismic, infrasound, or cloudy satellite images during 31 May-5 June. The webcam recorded steam emissions during periods of clear weather. Small low-frequency events were recorded by the seismic station located on the flank of the volcano beginning at 0939 on 6 June. The events were consistent with lava-dome growth, but growth could not be visually confirmed. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Colima
| Mexico
| 19.514°N, 103.62°W
| Elevation 3850 m
On 2 June the Centro Universitario de Estudios e Investigaciones de Vulcanologia - Universidad de Colima reported that during the previous week seismic data revealed 21 high-frequency events, 14 long-period events, 1.7 hours of tremor, 12 landslides, and zero explosions. During 25-26 May sulfur dioxide emissions were low at 35-51 tons per day, close to the detectable limits.
Source: Centro Universitario de Estudios e Investigaciones de Vulcanologia - Universidad de Colima
Dukono
| Halmahera (Indonesia)
| 1.693°N, 127.894°E
| Elevation 1229 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 31 May-6 June ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, W, SW, and E.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Ebeko
| Paramushir Island (Russia)
| 50.686°N, 156.014°E
| Elevation 1103 m
Based on observations by residents of Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island) about 7 km E of Ebeko, KVERT reported that explosive activity continued at the volcano during 25 May-2 June. 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
| 14.473°N, 90.88°W
| Elevation 3763 m
INSIVUMEH reported increased activity at Fuego on 1 June, characterized by an increase in the number of explosions (6-7 per hour) and ash plumes rising as high as 950 m above the crater and drifting W. Explosions generated shock waves that rattled structures in multiple areas including Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir, and Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW). Incandescent material was ejected as high as 500 m above the crater rim, and caused avalanches of material on the flanks. On 2 June explosions produced ash plumes that rose 550-950 m and drifted 10-12 km W and SW. Shock waves were detected within a radius of 25 km. Incandescent material was ejected 300-500 m high, causing avalanches in the Ceniza (SSW), Taniluyá (SW), and Santa Teresa (W) drainages. During 3-4 June there were 2-4 explosions recorded per hour. Ash plumes rose 650-1,050 m high and drifted 8-10 km W and SW. Weak shock waves rattled nearby buildings. Avalanches from ejected incandescent material continued to descend the three drainages. On 4 June a hot lahar descended the Pantaleón (W) drainage, carrying blocks more than 2 m in diameter, branches, and tree trunks. The lahar was 30 m wide and had a strong sulfur odor. During 4-5 June incandescent material rose 150 m and a lava flow traveled 300 m down the Santa Teresa drainage. On 6 June INSIVUMEH noted that eruptive episode number five had ended, with remnant lava flows in the Santa Teresa (2 km long) and Ceniza (3 km long) drainage. Explosions generated ash plumes that rose 950 m and drifted 15 km W and NW.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Ibu
| Halmahera (Indonesia)
| 1.488°N, 127.63°E
| Elevation 1325 m
PVMBG reported that eruptions at Ibu on 1 and 5 June generated ash plumes that rose 150-250 m above the crater and drifted N and SE, respectively.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Kilauea
| Hawaiian Islands (USA)
| 19.421°N, 155.287°W
| Elevation 1222 m
During 31 May-6 June HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater, from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone, and from a small lava pond (which had many small spattering sites along the margin) in a pit on the W side of the crater. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna. Field observations on 31 May revealed that the lava delta had grown to an area of approximately 0.01 square kilometers. A solidified lava ramp extended from the tube exit high on the sea cliff down to the delta, whose leading edge was about 100 m from the tube exit on the sea cliff.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Klyuchevskoy
| Central Kamchatka (Russia)
| 56.056°N, 160.642°E
| Elevation 4754 m
KVERT reported that a weak thermal anomaly over Klyuchevskoy was identified in satellite images during 27 and 30-31 May and 2 June. Explosions during 1-2 June generated ash plumes that rose to 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 400 km SSE. Ash plumes drifted over Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Elizovo. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Langila
| New Britain (Papua New Guinea)
| 5.525°S, 148.42°E
| Elevation 1330 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 1 June ash plumes from Langila rose 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N and NW.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Manam
| Papua New Guinea
| 4.08°S, 145.037°E
| Elevation 1807 m
RVO reported that although weather clouds often obscured views of Manam during 1-7 June white emissions were periodically seen rising from Southern Crater and Main Crater. Seismicity was very low. The Alert Level remained at Stage 1.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
Planchon-Peteroa
| Central Chile-Argentina border
| 35.223°S, 70.568°W
| Elevation 3977 m
Based on Observatorio Volcanológico de los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) - SERNAGEOMIN observations, ONEMI reported on 17 May that the number and magnitude of earthqaukes at Planchón-Peteroa had gradually declined during the past months, reaching baseline levels. Minor to no surface activity was noted. OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN lowered the Alert Level to Green (the lowest level on a three-color scale), and ONEMI canceled the Yellow Alert for the communities of Molina (66 WNW), Curicó (68 km NW), Romeral (75 km NW), and Teno (68 km NW) that had been in place since 1 July 2016.
Source: Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)
Poas
| Costa Rica
| 10.2°N, 84.233°W
| Elevation 2708 m
OVSICORI-UNA reported that tremor amplitude at Poás fluctuated from low to medium levels during 30-31 May, often associated with the vigor of emissions of water vapor, magmatic gases, and material from vents. An event at 1200 on 2 June generated a plume consisting of water vapor, gases, and minor amounts of ash that rose 600 m above the crater. Another event recorded at 1353 could not be confirmed visually due to weather conditions. An event at 0858 on 6 June generated a plume that rose 1 km.
Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
Popocatepetl
| Mexico
| 19.023°N, 98.622°W
| Elevation 5393 m
Each day during 31 May-2 June CENAPRED reported 51-78 steam and gas emissions from Popocatépetl; the daily count increased to 144-276 during 2-5 June. Explosions were detected during 31 May-1 June (1-2 per day) and during 2-5 June (13-22 per day) though cloudy conditions prevented visual confirmation of ash, gas, and steam plumes. Observers noted material being ejected 200 m from the crater on 3 June. Crater incandescence was visible on some nights. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.
Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Sabancaya
| Peru
| 15.787°S, 71.857°W
| Elevation 5960 m
Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that for the second week in a row explosive activity at Sabancaya slightly increased from the previous week; there was an average of 47 explosions recorded per day during 29 May-4 June. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, and the number and magnitude of hybrid events were low. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3 km above the crater rim and drifted more than 40 km E and SE. The MIROVA system detected five thermal anomalies, spread over the SE, N, and NW flanks. Sulfur dioxide flux was as high as 1,703 tons per day on 3 June.
Sources: Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP), Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET)
Sinabung
| Indonesia
| 3.17°N, 98.392°E
| Elevation 2460 m
Based on PVMBG observations, webcam and satellite images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 31 May-5 June ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3.4-5.5 km (11,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Turrialba
| Costa Rica
| 10.025°N, 83.767°W
| Elevation 3340 m
OVSICORI-UNA reported that volcano-tectonic amplitude at Turrialba fluctuated from low to moderate levels during 30-31 May. Plumes of water vapor, magmatic gases, and material rose no higher than 300 m above the crater rim, sporadically contained ash, and drifted NW. On 3 June at 1930 an event produced an ash plume that rose 300 m and drifted SW. The report noted that during the previous week ash emissions had been sporadic and not generated by explosions.
Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
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 monthly, and 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.
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