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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 5 September-11 September 2018
Name Country Volcanic Province Eruption Start Date Report Status
Etna Italy Sicily Volcanic Province New
Krakatau Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc New
Veniaminof United States Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc New
Aira Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2017 Mar 25 Continuing
Dukono Indonesia Halmahera Volcanic Arc 1933 Aug 13 Continuing
Ebeko Russia Kuril Volcanic Arc 2022 Jun 11 Continuing
Karymsky Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc Continuing
Kilauea United States Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group Continuing
Sabancaya Peru Andean Central Volcanic Arc 2016 Nov 6 Continuing
Sangay Ecuador Andean Northern Volcanic Arc 2019 Mar 26 Continuing
Semeru Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc 2017 Jun 6 Continuing
Sheveluch Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 1999 Aug 15 Continuing
Stromboli Italy Aeolian Volcanic Arc 1934 Feb 2 Continuing
Turrialba Costa Rica Central America 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 20,322 individual reports over 1,229 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 336 different volcanoes.

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


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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.



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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 Etna
INGV reported that during 3-9 September activity at Etna was characterized by gas emissions at the summit craters, with periodic Strombolian activity from vents in Bocca Nuova, Northeast Crater (NEC), and New Southeast Crater (NSEC). A few Strombolian explosions at NSEC were recorded on 5 September; an explosion at 0536 generated an ash plume that produced local ashfall around the vent and in the Valle del Bove, and quickly dispersed. A similar but less intense event occurred earlier that day, at 0316. Similar Strombolian events continued during 6-9 September, at intervals of a few hours. Strombolian activity at the N vent (BN-1) in Bocca Nuova occurred at 3-5-minute intervals, ejecting incandescent material that fell within the crater confines. Gas emissions were sometimes punctuated with ash emissions. Intense degassing was characteristic of the second vent (BN-2). Strombolian activity occurred at NEC, and a few times explosions were accompanied by ash emissions.
Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)
Report for Krakatau
Based on satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 8 September ash plumes from Anak Krakatau rose to altitudes of 4.9-5.5 km (16,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and NW. During 9-10 September ash plumes rose to 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4); residents and visitors were warned not to approach the volcano within 2 km of the crater.
Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Report for Veniaminof
On 4 September low-level ash emissions (less than 3 km or 10,000 ft a.s.l.) from Veniaminof were evident in webcam images and confirmed by observers in Perryville (35 km S), prompting AVO to raise the Aviation Color Code to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level to Watch. Seismicity was elevated. During 4-6 September pulsating, low-altitude ash plumes were visible from a Perryville webcam and reported by a pilot, and a small thermal anomaly was visible in satellite data. On 7 September the thermal signal increased, suggesting lava fountaining at the summit. Webcam images the next day showed minor ash or steam near the summit cone. Ash deposits on the snowfield formed a “V” shape from the summit, extending to the SSW and SE. On 9 September a lava flow, about 800 m long, was identified on the S flank in satellite data. Witnesses aboard a ferry passing Veniaminof early the next morning noted lava fountaining and an active lava flow. Lava flows continued on 11 September, though were confined to the summit caldera.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Report for Aira
JMA reported that there were two events and four explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 3-10 September, with ash plumes rising as high as 1.7 km above the crater rim. Crater incandescence was occasionally visible at night. An explosion at 0304 on 9 September ejected material as far as 700 m. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Report for Dukono
Based on satellite data, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 5-10 September ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SSE, SE, and E.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Ebeko
Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 31 August-7 September that sent ash plumes to 4.5 km (14,800 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes were identified in satellite images drifting about 75 km N and S on 31 August and 4 September, and a thermal anomaly over the volcano was visible during 4-5 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Karymsky
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 31 August and 5 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Kilauea
HVO reported that during 5-11 September weak lava activity at Kilauea’s Fissure 8 was characterized by occasional incandescence; during 9-10 September a small collapse pit formed and exposed hot material underneath. Seismicity and ground deformation remain low at the summit, and aftershocks from the M 6.9 earthquake in early May were located along faults on the south flank. The combined rate of sulfur dioxide emission from the summit and the LERZ (<1,000 tonnes/day) were lower than any time since late 2007. A series of small collapses at Pu'u 'O'o Crater during 8-10 September generated visible brown plumes. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Report for Sabancaya
Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosions at Sabancaya averaged 17 per day during 3-9 September. Hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and of low magnitude. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3.5 km above the crater rim and drifted 50 km SW, E, and NE. The MIROVA system detected seven thermal anomalies, and on 3 September the sulfur dioxide gas flux was high at 2,380 tons/day. The report noted that the public should not approach the crater within a 12-km radius.
Sources: Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET), Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP)
Report for Sangay
Based on satellite images and wind model data, the Washington VAAC reported that during 5-8 and 10 September ash emissions from Sangay rose to 4.3-6.7 km (14,000-22,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted at least 170 km W. A thermal anomaly was visible on 5 September.
Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Semeru
Based on analysis of satellite images and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-7 September ash plumes from Semeru rose to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Sheveluch
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite data during 1-7 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Stromboli
INGV reported that during 3-9 September activity at Stromboli was characterized by ongoing Strombolian activity and degassing from multiple vents within the crater terrace. Explosions mainly from two vents (N1 and N2) in Area N (north crater area, NCA) and three vents (C, S1, and S2) in Area C-S (South Central crater area) occurred at a rate of 2-15 per hour. Low-to-medium-intensity explosions from the N1 vent ejected lapilli and bombs mixed with ash as high as 120 m. Explosions of variable intensity at the N2 vent ejected tephra 150 m high. Vent C produced gas emissions, and periodic low-intensity explosions ejected tephra 80 m high. Incandescent material from S1 jetted 120 m above the crater. Low-intensity explosions at S2 ejected tephra less than 80 m high.
Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)
Report for Turrialba
OVSICORI-UNA reported that passive gas-and-ash emissions from Turrialba were continuous during 27 August-5 September, with plumes rising 100 m above the vent. Emissions on 6 September were mostly gas, punctuated by small and sporadic ash plumes. At 1210 on 10 September an event produced an ash plume that rose 300 m above the crater rim and drifted NW.
Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)