All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Manam | 5 August-11 August 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Manam Northeast of New Guinea	The Darwin VAAC reported that on 6 August an ash plume from Manam rose to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. The next day ash plumes rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Nishinoshima | 5 August-11 August 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Nishinoshima Izu Islands	Based on satellite data, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 5-11 August ash plumes from Nishinoshima rose to 4-4.9 km (13,000-16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Raung | 5 August-11 August 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Raung Eastern Java	PVMBG reported that an eruptive event at Raung was detected on 1 August, though weather conditions prevented visual confirmation. Weather conditions continued to obscure of views of the volcano during 5-11 August; white plumes were visible rising 100-200 m above the summit during some of the breaks in cloud cover. 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. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Sinabung | 5 August-11 August 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Sinabung Northwestern Sumatra	PVMBG reported that at 0158 on 8 August a phreatic eruption at Sinabung produced a brown-gray ash plume that rose 2 km above the summit and drifted E and SE. A news article stated that ashfall impacted at least four districts, including Naman Teran, Merdeka, Berastagi, and Dolat Rayat. BNPB noted that clean water was distributed, and emergency vehicles were deployed to clean up the ashfall. Later that day at 1718 an ash plume rose at least 1 km above the summit and drifted ESE. There is a general exclusion zone set at 3 km from the summit, with extensions to 5 km on the SE and 4 km on the NE. A news article noted that authorities began enforcing a 7-km exclusion zone. An eruptive event at 1016 on 10 August produced a dense gray ash plume that rose at least 5 km above the summit (24,500 ft a.s.l.) and drifted NE and SE. Parts of the plume drifted down the flank; ashfall was reported in several areas downwind. The Darwin VAAC advisory stated that satellite observations showed ash plumes drifting WNW at 9.8 km (32,000 ft) a.s.l. at 1430 and ENE at 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. at 1630. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and tourists in Berastagi (13 km E) turned on headlights to navigate through the ash according to a news article. Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), The Jakarta Post, NBC News, Gatra
Villarrica | 5 August-11 August 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Villarrica Central Chile	POVI reported that small Strombolian explosions at Villarrica were visible in webcam images on 23 July. At 1522 on 7 August a long-period earthquake occurred along with a moderate explosion in the summit crater according to SERNAGEOMIN; a gray ash plume rose to 3.4 km (11,000 ft) a.s.l. (370 m above the vent) and drifted SE. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, the second lowest level on a four-color scale. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for the municipalities of Villarrica, Pucón (16 km N), Curarrehue, and the commune of Panguipulli, and the exclusion zone for the public of 500 m around the crater. Sources: Proyecto Observación Villarrica Internet (POVI), Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI), Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN), Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Aira | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Aira Kyushu (Japan)	JMA reported that the daily sulfur dioxide emission rate at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was 700 tons/day on 3 August. An explosion at 0538 on 9 August produced an ash plume that rose as high as 5 km above the crater rim; ejected blocks were not visually confirmed due to weather conditions. Ashfall was reported in areas N of the crater including Kagoshima City (about 10 km W), Kirishima City (20 km NE), Yusui Town (40 km N), and parts of the Miyazaki Prefecture and the Kumamoto Prefecture. After the explosion at 0538, smaller eruptions were intermittently detected through 10 August. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale). Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Dukono | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Dukono Halmahera	Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 5, 7, and 9-11 August ash plumes from Dukono rose to 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 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: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Ebeko | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Ebeko Paramushir Island (Russia)	Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko volcano, observed explosions on 30 July and during 1-2 and 6 August that sent ash plumes up to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. A thermal anomaly over the volcano was identified in satellite images on 6 August; weather clouds obscured views on the other days during 1-7 August. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Etna | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Etna Sicily (Italy)	INGV reported that during 27 July-9 August activity at Etna was characterized by intra-crater Strombolian activity at Northeast Crater (NEC), sporadic Strombolian activity at Voragine Crater (VOR) with minor ash emissions that quickly dispersed, and both Strombolian activity and diffuse ash emissions at the New Southeast Crater (NSEC) cone. Explosive activity increased on 31 July; an ash cloud rose to 4.5 km (14,800 ft) a.s.l. On 2 August very minor ashfall was reported in Trecastagni and Acicastello, possibly from a slight increase in explosive activity that was not visually confirmed. During 3-9 August Strombolian activity ejected material above the NSEC cone’s crater rim; the activity was almost continuous during the evening of 6 August and the next morning, and booming was heard several kilometers away. Ash emissions dispersed near the summit. A series of ash emissions were visible in the morning of 9 August. Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)
Ibu | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Ibu Halmahera	PVMBG reported that on 5 August an ash plume rose 500 m above Ibu’s summit and drifted N. A few hours later the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume rose to 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l., or 2.9 km above the summit. 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: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Karymsky | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)	KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images during 5-6 August; weather clouds prevented views of the volcano on the other days during 1-7 August. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kerinci | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kerinci Central Sumatra	PVMBG reported that at 1024 on 7 August a brown ash emission from Kerinci rose 600 m above the summit and drifted NE, E, and SE. At 1140 on 9 August a brown ash plume rose 600 m above the summit and drifted ENE. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone. Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Rincon de la Vieja | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Rincon de la Vieja Costa Rica	OVSICORI-UNA reported that phreatic activity at Rincón de la Vieja had significantly decreased compared to activity during January-May. Events were recorded at 0546 on 5 August and at 1000 on 8 August, but not visually confirmed due to weather conditions. A phreatic explosion at 0035 on 6 August generated a plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim. Small steam plumes were visible on 10 August; one at 0845 was likely produced from a small phreatic event. Another s small phreatic event was detected later that day at 2346. Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
Sabancaya | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sabancaya Peru	Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported a daily average of 19 explosions at Sabancaya during 3-9 August. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.5 km above the summit and drifted SE, S, SW, and NW. There were five thermal anomalies over the crater identified in satellite data. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale) and the public were warned to stay outside of a 12-km radius. Source: Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP)
Sangay | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sangay Ecuador	IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 5-11 August. Weather clouds often prevented visual observations of the volcano; according to Washington VAAC notices and IG webcams ash plumes rose 870-2,000 m above the summit and drifted NW, W, and S almost daily. Heavy rain generated secondary lahars in the Volcán and Upano drainages during 5-7 August. Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Semeru | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Semeru Eastern Java	PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 5-11 August, though sometimes foggy conditions prevented visual confirmation. Ash plumes rose 400-500 m above the summit and drifted N on 8 August. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was reminded to stay outside of the general 1-km radius from the summit and 4 km on the SSE flank. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Sheveluch | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Central Kamchatka (Russia)	KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 1-7 August. A moderate explosion produced a small ash plume that rose to 4.5 km (14,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE and E on 2 August according to the Kamchatka Branch of Geophysical Services (KBGS; Russian Academy of Sciences). The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Institute of Volcanology and Geodynamics, Russian Academy of Natural Science
Suwanosejima | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Suwanosejima Ryukyu Islands (Japan)	JMA reported occasional eruptive events, three explosions, and occasional nighttime incandescence at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 31 July-7 August. An explosion at 1553 on 1 August generated an ash plume that rose 1.8 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale). Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Turrialba | 5 August-11 August 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Turrialba Costa Rica	OVSICORI-UNA reported that there were 19 minor ash emissions recorded at Turrialba during 4-5 August, with event durations lasting no longer than three minutes and plumes rising no higher than 200 m above the summit. Four more events were recorded on 5 August, with event durations lasting less than 10 minutes. Plumes again rose no higher than 200 m. 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 19,996 individual reports over 1,215 weeks (average of 16 per week) on 332 different volcanoes.

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

 News Feeds and Google Placemarks

 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 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.

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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)