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 21 October-27 October 2020
Name	Country	Volcanic Province	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Bezymianny	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	2016 Dec 5	New
Karymsky	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	—	New
Klyuchevskoy	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	—	New
Bulusan	Philippines	Eastern Philippine 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
Great Sitkin	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	2021 May 25	Continuing
Ibu	Indonesia	Halmahera Volcanic Arc	2008 Apr 5	Continuing
Langila	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	2015 Oct 22 (?)	Continuing
Reykjanes	Iceland	Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Zone	2023 Dec 18	Continuing
Semeru	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	2017 Jun 6	Continuing
Sheveluch	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	1999 Aug 15	Continuing
Sinabung	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Stromboli	Italy	Aeolian Volcanic Arc	1934 Feb 2	Continuing
Suwanosejima	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	2004 Oct 23	Continuing
Villarrica	Chile	Andean Southern Volcanic Arc	2014 Dec 2 ± 7 days	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Bezymianny (Russia) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Bezymianny
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

Based on Tokyo VAAC notices, KVERT reported that an explosive eruption at Bezymianny began at 0822 on 22 October and produced a large ash cloud that rose as high as 9 km (29,500 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red, the highest level on a four-color scale. The ash cloud identified in satellite images was 100 x 200 km in size. KVERT noted that by 1519 the eruption was over. A large ash cloud was still visible, though it had dropped to lower altitudes of 5-5.5 km (16,400-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and split into a N part (57 x 105 km) and a S part (36 x 67 km). The clouds shiftied direction and drifted as far as 811 km NW and SE. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Orange. On 23 October a thermal anomaly over the summit was identified in satellite images and growth of a lava dome was noted. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Karymsky (Russia) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Karymsky
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

A new eruption at Karymsky that began on 21 October prompted KVERT to raise the Aviation Color Code to Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. During 21-23 October explosions produced ash plumes that rose as high as 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 380 km SE. An ash cloud, 30 x 60 km in area, was identified in satellite images 530 km SE from the volcano.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Klyuchevskoy (Russia) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Klyuchevskoy
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that Strombolian activity at Klyuchevskoy continued during 16-23 October and lava advanced down the Apakhonchich drainage on the SE flank. A large bright thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images and on 18 October an ash plume drifted 90 km E. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale) on 8 October.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Bulusan (Philippines) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Bulusan
Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc

On 26 October PHIVOLCS lowered the Alert Level for Bulusan to 0, indicating normal conditions, though warnings remained to not enter the 4-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). The decision was based on monitoring data that showed sulfur dioxide flux remaining below detection levels since 2018, deformation continuing a deflationary trend since May 2019, and the frequency of volcanic earthquakes declining to baseline levels (0-2 earthquakes/day) beginning in late September 2020. Very diffuse white plumes rose from the summit vents.

Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)

Dukono (Indonesia) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Dukono
Halmahera Volcanic Arc

Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 21-27 October ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1 km (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 (Russia) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ebeko
Kuril Volcanic Arc

Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 16-23 October that sent ash plumes up to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, and SE. Ash fell in Severo-Kurilsk during 20-22 October. A thermal anomaly over the volcano was visible in satellite data on 22 October. 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) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Etna
Sicily Volcanic Province

INGV reported that during 19-25 October activity at Etna was characterized by intra-crater Strombolian activity at Northeast Crater (NEC), Strombolian activity at the New Southeast Crater (NSEC) cone, and gas emissions at the Voragine (VOR) and Bocca Nuova (BN) craters. During a helicopter overflight along the W side on 23 October scientists observed Strombolian explosions at NSEC that produced ash emissions and ejected shreds of lava out of the crater. Both the frequency and intensity of explosions was variable. There were several thermal anomalies on the NEC crater floor, and some on the floor of the BN crater. An ash plume from NSEC rose to 4.5 km a.s.l. and drifted SSE. The report noted that, based on drone footage from the beginning of the month, the NSEC vent was 190 m long in the NW direction and 140 m wide in the NE direction.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

Great Sitkin (United States) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Great Sitkin
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that seismicity at Great Sitkin had decreased during the previous several months and had returned to background levels by 21 October. Additionally, eruptive activity or unusual surface temperatures had not been observed in clear satellite images. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Green and the Volcano Alert Level was lowered to Normal.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Ibu (Indonesia) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ibu
Halmahera Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that during 21-26 October ash plumes rose 200-800 m above Ibu’s summit and drifted N, NE, and E. 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)

Langila (Papua New Guinea) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Langila
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 22 and 24 October ash plumes from Langila rose 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and N, respectively. Ash plumes rose to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW on 25 October.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Reykjanes (Iceland) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Reykjanes
Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Zone

IMO reported that a M 5.6 earthquake was recorded at 1343 on 20 October beneath Nupshlidarhals, a hill about 5 km W of the geothermal area in Seltun. This was the largest earthquake since 2003 recorded in the Reykjanes peninsula. There were about 1,700 aftershocks recorded in the following 24-hour period. IMO received reports of rockfalls in steep areas and increased gas odors in the vicinity of Graenavatn at Nupshlidarhals. Four landslides were noted near the epicenter; some existing ground cracks were displaced and new cracks had formed in Krysuvikurbjarg. On 26 October IMO stated that seismic activity had significantly decreased in recent days; about 180 earthquakes below M 2.2 had been detected during the previous two days.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)

Semeru (Indonesia) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Semeru
Sunda Volcanic Arc

PVMBG that gray-and-white ash plumes rose 500 m above Semeru’s summit and drifted S and SW during 22-24 October. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

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

Sheveluch (Russia) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sheveluch
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 16-23 October. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Sinabung (Indonesia) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sinabung
Sunda Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that white plumes rose as high as 500 m above Sinabung’s summit on most days during 20-27 October; foggy conditions sometimes prevented visual observations. On 23 October white-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 1 km and drifted in multiple directions. Pyroclastic flows traveled 1.5-2.5 km down the E and SE flanks on 25 October. According to a news article ash plumes drifted SE of the volcano twice that same day, causing some local residents to evacuate. The report noted that a lava dome in the summit crater continued to grow. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 3 km and extensions to 5 km in the SE sector and 4 km in the NE sector.

Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), The Jakarta Post

Stromboli (Italy) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Stromboli
Aeolian Volcanic Arc

INGV reported that during 19-25 October activity at Stromboli was characterized by ongoing explosive activity from Area N (north crater area) and in Area C-S (south-central crater area). Explosions from two vents at the N1 vent (Area N) ejected lapilli and bombs 80-150 m high, and produced ash emissions. Explosions at two N2 vents ejected a mix of coarse and fine material at a frequency of 5-10 events per hour. Explosions from vents in Area C-S also ejected both coarse and fine material 250 m high at a frequency of 1-3 events per hour.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

Suwanosejima (Japan) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Suwanosejima
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

JMA reported nighttime incandescence and intermittent eruptive activity at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 16-23 October. Three explosions were recorded; an explosion at 0439 on 17 October produced a grayish-white ash plume that rose 1.4 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Villarrica (Chile) | 21 October-27 October 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Villarrica
Andean Southern Volcanic Arc

SERNAGEOMIN reported that a long-period (LP) event and associated explosion were recorded by Villarrica’s seismic network at 1041 on 23 October. An ash plume rose 180 m. 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.

Source: Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)

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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.

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