Activity for the week of 8 May-14 May 2019
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
Asosan
| Kyushu (Japan)
| 32.884°N, 131.104°E
| Elevation 1592 m
JMA reported that incandescence from Asosan’s Nakadake Crater was visible during 9-10 May. A small eruption on 9 May produced a plume that rose 900 m above the crater rim. Four small eruptions on 12 May generated plumes that rose to a maximum height of 1.4 km. A plume from an eruption on 13 May rose 200 m. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 3,600 tons per day on 10 May, and 1,700 tons per day on 13 May. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Sangay
| Ecuador
| 2.005°S, 78.341°W
| Elevation 5286 m
IG reported that two M2 seismic events, recorded at 0028 and 0116 on 10 May and located 3.5-9 km below Sangay’s S and W flanks, possibly corresponded to explosive activity. Four thermally elevated pixels were identified in satellite data at 0124. A small emission was visible drifting W.
Source: Instituto GeofÃsico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG)
Sinabung
| Indonesia
| 3.17°N, 98.392°E
| Elevation 2460 m
PVMBG reported that an eruption at Sinabung was recorded at 2039 on 11 May. An ash plume was not visible due to weather conditions, although crater incandescence was noted. An eruption at 1233 on 12 May was recorded by the seismic network; foggy weather prevented visual confirmation. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 3 km and extensions to 7 km on the SSE sector, 6 km in the ESE sector, and 4 km in the NNE sector.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Ongoing Activity
Agung
| Bali (Indonesia)
| 8.343°S, 115.508°E
| Elevation 2997 m
PVMBG and BNPB reported that an eruptive event at Agung was recorded by the seismic network at 2229 on 12 May, accompanied by a loud bang audible at the Agung Volcano Observatory in Rendang (about 8 km SW). Dense fog prevented height estimates of the ash plume. A photo posted along with the report showed that incandescent material was deposited on the flanks. 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
| Kyushu (Japan)
| 31.593°N, 130.657°E
| Elevation 1117 m
JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was occasionally visible at night during 7-13 May. Explosions on 7 and 13 May generated plumes that rose 1.6 and 2.9 km above the crater rim, respectively. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Dukono
| Halmahera (Indonesia)
| 1.693°N, 127.894°E
| Elevation 1229 m
Based on satellite and wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 8-14 May ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted mainly NE, E, and SE. 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
| Paramushir Island (Russia)
| 50.686°N, 156.014°E
| Elevation 1103 m
Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 4 and 6-7 May that sent ash plumes up to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. A thermal anomaly over the volcano was identified on 6 May. 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 that there were 13-24 explosions per hour recorded at Fuego during 9-10 and 12-14 May, generating ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim and drifted 10-15 km S and SW. Explosions sometimes produced shock waves that rattled houses in areas to the S and SW. Incandescent material was ejected 200-300 m high and caused avalanches of material that occasionally traveled long distances (and reached vegetated areas) down the Seca (W), Taniluyá (SW), Ceniza (SSW), Trinidad (S), and Las Lajas (SE) ravines. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including Santa SofÃa (12 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché (8 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), and Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW). Lava flows were 500-600 m long on the W flank.
On 11 May steaming lahars descended the Las Lajas, Seca, Ceniza, and Mineral drainages, carrying variously-sized blocks and tree parts. Lahars on 14 May carried blocks and tree trunks down the Ceniza drainage.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Ibu
| Halmahera (Indonesia)
| 1.488°N, 127.63°E
| Elevation 1325 m
The Darwin VAAC reported that on 8 May an ash plume from Ibu rose to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ESE based on satellite data. PVMBG noted that at 1821 on 9 May an ash plume rose 600 m above the crater rim and drifted S. Seismic activity was characterized by explosions, tremor, and signals indicating rock avalanches. According to the VAAC an ash plume drifted ESE at an altitude of 1.8 (6,000 ft) a.s.l. on 10 May. A 14 May VONA stated that at 1846 an ash plume rose 800 m and drifted N. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side.
Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Karymsky
| Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)
| 54.049°N, 159.443°E
| Elevation 1513 m
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in satellite images during 6-8 May. A gas-and-steam plume containing ash was also visible drifting 105 km SE and SW during 6-7 May. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kerinci
| Indonesia
| 1.697°S, 101.264°E
| Elevation 3800 m
PVMBG reported that at 1804 on 10 May a brown ash emission from Kerinci rose 700 m and drifted ESE. Seismic activity was characterized by continuous volcanic tremor and gas emissions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4) with a 3-km exclusion zone.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
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 6 and 8-9 May. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Krakatau
| Indonesia
| 6.102°S, 105.423°E
| Elevation 813 m
PVMBG reported that Anak Krakatau’s seismic network detected eruptive events at 1254 and 1446 on 10 May, 0555 on 11 May, 1003 and 1220 on 12 May, and 0021 on 14 May. An observer estimated that an ash plume rose 150 m above the summit and drifted NE at 1446 on 10 May, but noted that visibility was difficult. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to remain outside of the 2-km radius hazard zone from the crater.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Manam
| Papua New Guinea
| 4.08°S, 145.037°E
| Elevation 1807 m
The Darwin VAAC reported that on 10 May an ash plume from Manam rose to an altitude of 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, based on satellite data and weather models. A sulfur dioxide plume and a thermal anomaly were also identified. The next day diffuse plumes drifted NE and E at an altitude of 2.4 (8,000 ft) a.s.l.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Nevados de Chillan
| Chile
| 36.868°S, 71.378°W
| Elevation 3180 m
ONEMI and SERNAGEOMIN reported that an explosive event at Nevados de Chillán’s Nicanor Crater was recorded at 2003 on 12 May associated with a long-period earthquake signal. The explosion partially destroyed the lava dome, ejecting incandescent material onto the N flank. 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 GeologÃa y MinerÃa (SERNAGEOMIN)
Rincon de la Vieja
| Costa Rica
| 10.83°N, 85.324°W
| Elevation 1916 m
OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruption at Rincón de la Vieja recorded at 0720 on 11 May produced a white gas-and-steam plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim.
Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
Sheveluch
| Central Kamchatka (Russia)
| 56.653°N, 161.36°E
| Elevation 3283 m
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch’s lava dome was identified daily in satellite images during 3-10 May. Gas-and-steam plumes containing some ash was visible drifting 50 km SE and SW. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Suwanosejima
| Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
| 29.638°N, 129.714°E
| Elevation 796 m
JMA reported that crater incandescence at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater was visible at night during 3-10 May. A very small eruption on 5 May generated a plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
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 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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