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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 16 October-22 October 2019
Name Country Volcanic Province Eruption Start Date Report Status
Lateiki Tonga Tofua Volcanic Arc New
Masaya Nicaragua Central America Volcanic Arc 2015 Oct 3 New
Pavlof 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
Etna Italy Sicily Volcanic Province 2022 Nov 27 Continuing
Ibu Indonesia Halmahera Volcanic Arc 2008 Apr 5 Continuing
Karangetang Indonesia Sangihe Volcanic Arc Continuing
Krakatau Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc Continuing
Merapi Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc 2020 Dec 31 Continuing
Semeru Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc 2017 Jun 6 Continuing
Sheveluch Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 1999 Aug 15 Continuing
Shishaldin United States Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc Continuing
Tangkuban Parahu Indonesia Sunda 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 20,740 individual reports over 1,248 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 338 different volcanoes.

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

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Adams Cotopaxi Iliwerung Llaima Popocatepetl Sumisujima
Agung Cuicocha Inielika Lokon-Empung Purace Sundoro
Ahyi Cumbal Ioto Lonquimay Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Suoh
Aira Dabbahu Irazu Lopevi Rabaul Suretamatai
Akan Davidof Iwatesan Machin Raikoke Suwanosejima
Alaid Dempo Iya Makushin Ranakah Taal
Alu-Dalafilla Descabezado Grande Izu-Torishima Maly Semyachik Raoul Island Tair, Jebel at
Ambae Dieng Volcanic Complex Jackson Segment Manam Rasshua Takawangha
Ambang Dukono Kaba Manda Hararo Raung Talang
Ambrym East Epi Kadovar Marapi Redoubt Tambora
Anatahan Ebeko Kaitoku Seamount Maroa Reventador Tanaga
Aniakchak Ebulobo Kama'ehuakanaloa Martin Reykjanes Tandikat-Singgalang
Antillanca Volcanic Complex Edgecumbe Kambalny Masaya Rincon de la Vieja Tangkoko-Duasudara
Antuco Egon Kanaga Matthew Island Rinjani Tangkuban Parahu
Apoyeque Ekarma Kanlaon Maule, Laguna del Ritter Island Tara, Batu
Arenal Eldey Karangetang Mauna Loa Rotorua Ta'u
Asamayama Erebus Karkar Mayon Ruang Taupo
Askja Erta Ale Karthala McDonald Islands Ruapehu Telica
Asosan Etna Karymsky Melebingoy Ruby Tenerife
Atka Volcanic Complex Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group] Kasatochi Melimoyu Ruiz, Nevado del Tengger Caldera
Augustine Eyjafjallajokull Katla Merapi Sabancaya Three Sisters
Avachinsky Fagradalsfjall Katmai Midagahara Sakar Tinakula
Awu Fernandina Kavachi Misti, El Salak Tofua
Axial Seamount Fogo Kelimutu Miyakejima San Cristobal Tokachidake
Azul, Cerro Fonualei Kelud Momotombo San Miguel Tolbachik
Azumayama Fournaise, Piton de la Kerinci Monowai San Vicente Toliman
Bagana Fourpeaked Ketoi Montagu Island Sangay Tongariro
Balbi Fuego Kharimkotan Moyorodake [Medvezhia] Sangeang Api Trident
Bamus Fujisan Kick 'em Jenny Mutnovsky Santa Ana Tungurahua
Banda Api Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba Kie Besi Myojinsho Santa Maria Turrialba
Bardarbunga Galeras Kikai Nabro Sao Jorge Ubinas
Barren Island Galunggung Kilauea Negra, Sierra Sarigan Ugashik-Peulik
Batur Gamalama Kirishimayama Negro, Cerro Sarychev Peak Ukinrek Maars
Bezymianny Gamkonora Kita-Ioto Nightingale Island Saunders Ulawun
Bogoslof Gareloi Kizimen Nishinoshima Savo Unnamed
Brava Gaua Klyuchevskoy Nisyros Semeru Unnamed
Bristol Island Gorely Kolokol Group Novarupta Semisopochnoi Veniaminof
Bulusan Great Sitkin Koryaksky NW Rota-1 Seulawah Agam Villarrica
Calbuco Grimsvotn Krakatau Nyamulagira Sheveluch Vulcano
Callaqui Guagua Pichincha Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker Nyiragongo Shishaldin West Mata
Cameroon Guallatiri Krysuvik-Trolladyngja Ofu-Olosega Simbo Westdahl
Campi Flegrei Guntur Kuchinoerabujima Okataina Sinabung Whakaari/White Island
Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia Hachijojima Kurikomayama Okmok Sinarka Witori
Cayambe Hakoneyama Kusatsu-Shiranesan Ontakesan Siple Wolf
Chachadake [Tiatia] Heard Kverkfjoll Oraefajokull Sirung Wrangell
Chaiten Hekla La Palma Osorno Slamet Yakedake
Chiginagak Helgrindur Lamington Pacaya Snaefellsjokull Yasur
Chikurachki Hierro Lamongan Pagan Soputan Yellowstone
Chiles-Cerro Negro Hokkaido-Komagatake Langila Palena Volcanic Group Sorikmarapi Yufu-Tsurumi
Chillan, Nevados de Home Reef Lanin Paluweh Sotara Zaozan [Zaosan]
Chirinkotan Hood Lascar Panarea Soufriere Hills Zavodovski
Chirpoi Huaynaputina Late Papandayan Soufriere St. Vincent Zhupanovsky
Ciremai Hudson, Cerro Lateiki Pavlof South Sarigan Seamount Zubair Group
Cleveland Huila, Nevado del Lengai, Ol Doinyo Pelee Spurr
Colima Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Leroboleng Peuet Sague St. Helens
Colo Ibu Lewotobi Pinatubo Stromboli
Concepcion Ijen Lewotolok Planchon-Peteroa Sulu Range
Copahue Iliamna Little Sitkin Poas Sumbing
 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 Lateiki
The Wellington VAAC reported that on 22 October pilots observed intermittent white plumes rising from Metis Shoal (Lateiki) to 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. There was no ash signature in the plumes.
Source: Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Report for Masaya
According to news reports, ash was emitted from Masaya on 15 October, causing very minor ashfall in Colonia 4 de Mayo, 6 km NW.
Source: La Jornada
Report for Pavlof
On 19 October small explosion signals at Pavlof were detected by the infrasound network located at Sand Point and on the local seismic network, prompting AVO to raise the Aviation Color Code to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory. Clouds obscured satellite views of the volcano around the time of the event; slightly elevated surface temperatures were detected in satellite images during 19-20 October.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Report for Aira
JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible at night during 15-21 October. There were 14 explosions and seven non-explosive eruptive events detected by the seismic network. Eruption plumes rose as high as 3 km above the crater rim and large blocks were ejected as far as 1.3 km away. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was high, at 2,800 tons/day, on 15 October. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Report for Dukono
Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 16-22 October ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 2.1-2.3 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.
Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Ebeko
Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 11-18 October that sent ash plumes up to 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted NE, causing ashfall in Severo-Kurilsk on 15 October. A weak thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 12 October. 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 Etna
INGV reported that during 14-20 October diffuse ash plumes from Etna’s Northeast Crater (NEC) varied from quickly-dispersing puffs to emissions lasting several hours. Ash drifted S, producing ashfall in areas downwind including Pedara, Mascalucia, Nicolosi, San Giovanni La Punta, and Catania. Ash plumes also rose from Voragine Crater (VOR).
Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)
Report for Ibu
PVMBG reported that at 0829 on 20 October an ash plume from Ibu rose at least 400 m above the summit and drifted W. 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.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Report for Karangetang
PVMBG reported that during 14-20 October lava continued to effuse from Karangetang’s Main Crater (S), traveling as far as 1.8 km down the Nanitu, Pangi, and Sense drainages on the SW and W flanks. Incandescence from both summit craters was visible at night. Sometimes dense white plumes rose to 600 m above the summit. According to the Darwin VAAC minor ash plumes were visible in satellite images rising to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. (600 m above the summit) and drifting W and NW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Krakatau
PVMBG reported that during 14-20 October Anak Krakatau’s seismic network recorded 24 eruptive events. Diffuse white plumes rose as high as 150 m above the vent. A webcam on the volcano recorded several eruptions that ejected dense, blackish-gray ash plumes 150-300 m above the crater floor. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was 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)
Report for Merapi
PVMBG reported that an eruption at Merapi at 1631 on 14 October generated an ash plume that rose 3 km above the summit and caused ashfall in areas as far as 25 km SW. A pyroclastic flow traveled 2 km down the Gendol drainage on the SW flank. The event changed the shape of the dome by removing a NE-SW trending section that was 100 m long, 30 m wide, and 20 m deep. Lava continued to extrude during 14-20 October, generating at least two block-and-ash flows that traveled 1 km down the Gendol drainage. Foggy conditions sometimes prevented visual observations. White emissions rose as high as 500 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to stay outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Report for Semeru
The Darwin VAAC reported that on 18 October an ash plume from Semeru rose to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W based on satellite images and weather models. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Sheveluch
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 11-18 October. Explosions during 11-13 and 15 October produced ash plumes that rose 6.5-7 km (21,300-23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 620 km E and SE. Resuspended ash drifted 125 km E during 16-17 October. 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 Shishaldin
On 17 October AVO raised the Aviation Color Code for Shishaldin to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level to Watch noting that new lava effusion in the summit crater had begun on 13 October. Weather clouds had mostly prevented views of the crater during 12-18 October; elevated surface temperatures were detected during 13 and 17-20 October. A steam plume was visible in webcam images on 19 October.
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Report for Tangkuban Parahu
Diffuse white water-vapor plumes rose 40 m above the vent on Tangkubanparahu's Ratu Crater floor during 14-21 October. PVMBG lowered the Alert Level to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 21 October, noting that phreatic events had not been recorded for the past month, deformation data indicated no rising magma, and other data all suggested decreased activity. Tourists were advised to avoid going into the crater.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)