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 13 February-19 February 2019
Name	Country	Volcanic Province	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Karangetang	Indonesia	Sangihe Volcanic Arc	—	New
Karymsky	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	—	New
Piton de la Fournaise	France	Reunion Hotspot Volcano Group	—	New
Poas	Costa Rica	Central America Volcanic Arc	2023 Dec 1	New
Tengger Caldera	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	New
Agung	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Aira	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	2017 Mar 25	Continuing
Cleveland	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Dukono	Indonesia	Halmahera Volcanic Arc	1933 Aug 13	Continuing
Ebeko	Russia	Kuril Volcanic Arc	2022 Jun 11	Continuing
Etna	Italy	Sicily Volcanic Province	—	Continuing
Kadovar	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Kerinci	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Krakatau	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Manam	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	2014 Jun 29	Continuing
Merapi	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	2020 Dec 31	Continuing
Nevados de Chillan	Chile	Andean Southern Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Popocatepetl	Mexico	Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	2005 Jan 9	Continuing
Sheveluch	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	1999 Aug 15	Continuing
Turrialba	Costa Rica	Central America Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Karangetang (Indonesia) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Karangetang
Sangihe Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that during 13-19 February sometimes-dense white plumes rose as high as 400 m above the rim of Karangetang’s Main Crater. White emissions that were occasionally bluish rose mostly 50-150 m above Kawah Dua’s (North Crater) crater rim, though on 18 February the plumes were grayish and rose 200-300 m. Roaring sounds from the volcano were occasionally noted at an observation post. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to remain outside of the 2.5-km exclusion zone around the N and S craters, and additionally within 3 km WNW and 4 km NW.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Karymsky (Russia) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Karymsky
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that at 1427 on 16 February a satellite image captured an ash plume from Karymsky drifting 55 km SE at altitudes of 2.5-3 km (8,200-10,000 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). According to the Tokyo VAAC a possible ash plume on 17 February rose to 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. A weak ash plume drifting 117 km ESE was visible in satellite images on 18 February.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Piton de la Fournaise (France) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Piton de la Fournaise
Reunion Hotspot Volcano Group

OVPF reported that a seismic crisis began at Piton de la Fournaise at 1521 on 16 February accompanied by rapid deformation. The number of earthquakes sharply decreased at 1618 and deformation stopped at 1630. A second seismic crisis began at 0916 on 18 February, again accompanied by rapid deformation. Tremor commenced at 0948, coincident with at least eruptive fissures opening on the E flank of Dolomieu crater. Weather conditions prevented good views of the eruption site. Lava fountains rose less than 30 m above the vents, and after about an hour the longest lava flow reached 1,900 m elevation. Lava effusion ceased at 2200 on 18 February. A seismic crisis began at 1500 on 19 February, and tremor began to be recorded at 1700. Gas emissions were recorded by webcams for about an hour. During an overflight on 20 February the OVPF team observed a new eruption site located at 1,800 m elevation at the foot of Piton Madoré. One fissure opened and at 0620 only one lava fountain was active. The front of a lava flow reached 1,300 m elevation.

Source: Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF)

Poas (Costa Rica) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Poas
Central America Volcanic Arc

OVSICORI-UNA reported that since 8 February almost continuous emissions of gas has been recorded at Poás, with plumes rising as high as 1 km and drifting mainly SW. During 13-14 February the emissions contained ash; gas-and-ash plumes drifted SW, impacting areas downwind including Naranjo, Zarcero, and Grecia (16 km SW). Gas-and-ash emissions rose from the crater on 15 February, and gas emissions were recorded on 18 February.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

Tengger Caldera (Indonesia) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Tengger Caldera
Sunda Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that at 0600 on 18 February an eruption at Tengger Caldera’s Bromo cone generated a dense white-and-brown ash plume that rose 600 m and drifted WSW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Agung (Indonesia) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Agung
Sunda Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that an explosive event at Agung was recorded at 0434 on 14 February, causing ashfall in Bugbug village, 20 km SE. Crater incandescence was recorded at night by webcams in Karangasem City (16 km SE). The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) with the exclusion zone set at a 4-km radius.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Aira (Japan) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Aira
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

JMA reported that 12-18 February incandescence was visible from Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano), and two events and two explosions were recorded. One of the explosions occurred at 0624 on 14 February, producing a plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim and ejecting material 500-700 m from the crater. An explosion on 17 February generated a plume that rose 2.3 km above the crater rim and ejected material 1-1.3 km from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Cleveland (United States) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Cleveland
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that unrest at Cleveland continued during 13-19 February, though no activity was detected in seismic or infrasound data. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images; weather clouds sometimes prevented views of the volcano. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Dukono (Indonesia) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Dukono
Halmahera Volcanic Arc

Based on satellite data, wind model data, and ground-based observations, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-19 February ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and SW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and visitors were warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.

Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Ebeko (Russia) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ebeko
Kuril Volcanic Arc

Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 8-15 February that sent ash plumes to 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l. Ash fell in Severo-Kurilsk on 11 February. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Etna (Italy) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Etna
Sicily Volcanic Province

On 19 February INGV summarized Etna’s fissure eruption that occurred high on the SE flank during 24-27 December 2018, noting that 3-4 million cubic meters of lava erupted and covered an area of 1 square kilometer. After the event seismicity gradually decreased. The last significant event was a ML 4.1 recorded on 8 January 2019; afterwards seismicity was characterized as frequent events with modest magnitudes. Since the beginning of January ash emissions intermittently rose mainly from Northeast Crater (NEC) and more sporadically from Bocca Nuova. News sources noted that the Catania Airport (Aeroporto di Catania – Sicilia) was closed during 26-27 January. Preliminary assessments of some of the ash deposits showed they contained no juvenile material. During 11-17 February ash emissions of variable intensity rose from NEC and were notable on 14 and 18 February. Volcanic tremor amplitude did not significantly vary compared to the previous week, having average values overall. The Catania Airport announced the partial closure of airspace and flight delays during 17-18 February due to ash emissions.

Sources: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV), Aeroporto di Catania

Kadovar (Papua New Guinea) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kadovar
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

Based on satellite data and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 16 February ash plumes from Kadovar rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ESE.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Kerinci (Indonesia) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kerinci
Sunda Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that at 1309 on 13 February an observer noted a brownish-white ash plume rising 400 m above Kerinci’s crater rim and drifting NE. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Krakatau (Indonesia) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Krakatau
Sunda Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that a brief explosive event at Anak Krakatau was recorded at 0026 on 14 February, though weather conditions prevented clear views of the event. During 15-17 February diffuse white plumes rose 50 m above the summit. At 1402 on 18 February another short-lived event produced an ash plume that rose about 500 m above the summit and drifted S and SW. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to remain outside of the 5-km radius hazard zone from the crater.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Manam (Papua New Guinea) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Manam
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 15 February an ash plume from Manam rose to an altitude of 4.9 km (16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Merapi (Indonesia) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Merapi
Sunda Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that during 8-17 February the volume of the lava dome in Merapi’s summit crater was about the same as the previous week, and there were no apparent morphological changes. Most of the extruded lava did not add to the dome volume but instead fell into the upper parts of the Gendol River drainage and the SE flank. Incandescent avalanches traveling down the SE flank were visible at night. At 0858 on 11 February a pyroclastic flow traveled 400 m down the Gendol drainage. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Nevados de Chillan (Chile) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Nevados de Chillan
Andean Southern Volcanic Arc

ONEMI and SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 5-12 February growth of the lava dome in Nevados de Chillán’s Nicanor Crater was very slow (10.8 cubic meters per hour). White water vapor emissions, occasionally grayish from included tephra, rose as high as 1.7 km and drifted SE and NE. Crater incandescence was recorded by a webcam each day. At 0109 on 15 February an explosive event partially destroyed the lava dome and ejected incandescent material onto areas near the crater. The Alert Level remained at Orange, the second highest level on a four-color scale, and residents were reminded not to approach the crater within 3 km. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for the communities of Pinto, Coihueco, and San Fabián.

Sources: Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI), Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

Popocatepetl (Mexico) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Popocatepetl
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

CENAPRED reported that each day during 13-19 February there were 20-140 steam-and-gas emissions from Popocatépetl, some of which contained ash. Seismicity began to increase at 2100 on 14 February coincident with the onset of Strombolian activity. Incandescent material was ejected 1.5 km onto the flanks, and gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2 km above the carter rim and drifted SW. The phase lasted for about seven hours. Explosions were recorded at 1528, 1602, 1824, and 1935 on 14 February and at 0409 on 15 February. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including Tetela del Volcán (20 km SW), Zacualpan (31 km SW), Jonacatepec (43 km SW), Cuautla (43 km SW), Ocuituco (24 km SW), Yecapixtla (31 km SW), and in Tochimilco (16 km SSE).

During 0044-0606 on 16 February Strombolian activity ejected incandescent material that fell back into the crater. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 1 km and drifted SE. A period of harmonic tremor began at 1600, accompanied by emissions of water vapor and gas that rose 1.5 km. By 1830 ejected incandescent fragments were visible and fell onto flanks 400 m from the crater. Plumes rose 2 km and drifted NNE. Seismicity decreased by 2100 and material was no longer being ejected above the crater rim, though crater incandescence remained visible. There were at least 14 explosions detected on 17 February; the more significant events were recorded at 0438, 0457, 0719, 0821, and 0956, generating plumes that rose 2 km and drifted NNE. Minor ashfall was reported in areas downwind including Tlaxco (85 km NE) and Xalostoc, Nativitas (40 km NE), Hueyotlipan (57 km NNE), Amaxac de Guerrero (60 km NE), Tepetitla de Lardizábal (37 km NE), Texoloc, and Tlaxcala (51 km NE). An explosion at 0704 on 18 February produced a plume that rose 2 km and drifted NNE. An explosion was detected at 0613 on 19 February. On 20 February CENAPRED noted growth of lava dome #82. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (middle level on a three-color scale).

Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)

Sheveluch (Russia) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sheveluch
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that during 8-15 February Sheveluch’s lava dome continued to grow, extruding blocks on the N side, and producing hot avalanches and fumarolic plumes. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images daily. Video and satellite data recorded gas-and-steam plumes with variable ash content rising to 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifting in multiple directions. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Turrialba (Costa Rica) | 13 February-19 February 2019 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Turrialba
Central America Volcanic Arc

OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 13-15 February a period of almost continuous gas emissions with minor ash content rose 200-300 m above the rim of Turrialba’s active vent. The plumes drifted NW, W, and SW. An event at 1330 on 15 February produced a plume that rose 1 km and drifted W. During the morning of 18 February a plume with low ash content rose from the vent. An event at 1310 generated a plume that rose 500 m and drifted W.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

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