The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) reported that steam emissions were visible rising an average of 250 m from Ambae’s Lake Voui during 5-7 December. A still image of video taken from an airplane showed brown water surrounding an active and growing cone that was ejecting wet tephra less than 10 m above the lake’s surface. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 0-5) and the public was warned to stay outside of the Danger Zone defined as a 2-km radius around the 2017-2018 active vents in Lake Voui and away from drainages during heavy rains.

Source: Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD)

According to a news article seismic signals at Nyiragongo were dominated by long-period earthquakes during 30 November-5 December. Residents of Goma observed incandescence emanating from the crater on 4 December.

Source: Les Volcans News

IG reported that during 1-2 December activity at Sangay was characterized by increased seismicity, explosions and ash emissions, and a new lava flow on the N flank. The SAGA seismic station, SW of the volcano, recorded a swarm of long-period events beginning at 1600 on 1 December that indicated fluid movements. The amplitude and frequency of the events intensified, and by 2356 the rate had increased from 32 to 60 events per hour. At 0403 on 2 December the SAGA station recorded a major explosion. Based on Washington VAAC advisories two eruption plumes rose 7-10 km above the summit and drifted W, and a third rose almost 1.8 km and drifted NW, though IG noted that the lack of reported ashfall in the nearest towns 25 km away indicated low ash content. Thermal satellite data showed that a new lava flow had emerged on the upper N flank by 2 December.

Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)

PMVBG reported collapses of the lava dome in Semeru’s Jonggring Seloko Crater and SE-flank flow during 1-6 December. On 1 December material collapsed from the unstable distal end of a 1-km-long lava flow in the SE-flank Kobokan drainage, sending a pyroclastic flow 700 m down the valley. Subsequent avalanches were recorded by the seismic network that day and on 3 December were not visually confirmed, likely due to several days of rainy conditions. At 1330 on 4 December the seismic network recorded avalanche signals. A larger collapse began at 1447 was seen by an observer at the Mount Semeru Volcano Observation Post and identified in data collected by PVMBG. Avalanches of incandescent material from the summit dome and SE-flank lava flow descended 500-800 m. Pyroclastic flows were visible at 1510 descending the Kobokan drainage and a sulfur odor was noted. At 1520 a large pyroclastic flow produced a large roiling and expanding ash cloud that eventually rose to 15 km (50,000 ft) a.s.l. Reports from residents described darkness from airborne ash and rainy/foggy conditions. Pyroclastic material was deposited in two districts in the Lumajang regency, and eight districts in the neighboring Malang regency were covered with ash. Preliminary estimates suggested that deposits extended at least 16 km SE from the summit.

According to the Darwin VAAC satellite observations acquired at 1630 showed a detached ash cloud drifting SW at an altitude of 15 km (50,000 ft) a.s.l. At 1740 the ash cloud continued to drift SW and a second ash cloud was drifting W at 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. The second ash cloud had detached by 1840. On 5 December satellite images showed the two ash clouds still drifting SW and W, and possible diffuse ash emissions rising to 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l.; ash had dissipated by 1000.

Following the 4 December pyroclastic flow Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD) issued a warning to residents to stay away from drainages due to lahar hazards and began evacuating people in high-risk areas. Ten people trapped in a building could not be reached because of scalding hot deposits but were later rescued. Almost all of the houses in the Curah Kobokan area had been destroyed, mainly by pyroclastic flows, though some residents reported roof collapses from ashfall. One area of Curah Kobokan was inundated by hot lahars that took down trees. Pyroclastic flows also destroyed the Gladak Perak bridge, 13 km SE of the summit, which linked residents of Pronojiwo and Lumajang; the national road leading to Malang was blocked by tephra and fallen trees. According to news articles and BNPB, by the next day 14 people were confirmed to have died, 57 had been injured and taken to hospitals (more than a dozen of were in critical condition due to severe burns), and at least seven residents and sand miners working along the river in Curah Kobokan were missing. About 1,300 people had relocated to evacuation centers or alternative housing.

Additional pyroclastic flows during 5-6 December descended 2-3 km SE, and incandescent avalanches descended 500 m. At 0855 on 6 December a pyroclastic flow traveled 4 km down the SE drainage, temporarily halting rescue and recovery efforts. Later that day, the head of BNPB, police officers, and others conducted a 15-minute overflight of Curah Kobokan and observed steam plumes rising from the deposits. Initial estimates were that 2,970 houses and 38 educational facilities across several sub-districts in Lumajang Regency had been destroyed or damaged by the pyroclastic flows. Authorities also traveled to the fallen bridge and other nearby locations, noting damaged vegetation, fallen trees, and volcanic deposits up to 30 cm thick along the road.

By 7 December an estimated 4,250 residents were displaced in about 20 evacuation centers; most people originating from the Lumajang Regency and fewer from the Malang and Blitar regencies. The number of fatalities reached 34, with another 22 people missing. Search efforts focused on the villages of Renteng, Sumberwuluh, and Kobokan Curah, but daily afternoon rains hampered rescue and recovery efforts.

Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), National Public Radio (NPR), BBC News, Earth Observatory of Singapore, Remote Sensing Lab

JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible at night during 29 November-6 December. An eruptive event at 1702 on 2 December generated a plume that rose 1.3 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and residents were warned to stay 2 km away from the crater.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

INGV reported that during 29 November-5 December eruptive activity at Etna was concentrated at the Northeast Crater (NEC) and the Southeast Crater (SEC), while only minor gas emissions rose from the Voragine and Bocca Nuova craters. Webcam images showed diffuse and discontinuous ash emissions from NEC on 1 December that quickly dissipated near the summit. On the morning of 4 December INGV staff working near the summit observed sporadic and diffuse ash emissions rising from SEC and quickly dissipating around the summit. During the afternoon and through the next day webcam images recorded Strombolian activity at SEC, in addition to the ash emissions.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

INSIVUMEH reported that 3-12 explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 30 November-7 December, generating ash plumes as high as 1 km above the crater rim and periodic shock waves that were felt in communities around the volcano. Ash plumes drifted as far as 25 km SW and W, causing almost daily ashfall in areas downwind, including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), and San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW). Block avalanches descended the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Las Lajas (SE), and El Jute drainages, often reaching vegetated areas. Explosions ejected incandescent material up to 100-200 m above the summit during 30 November-3 December. A new lava flow emerged during the morning of 5 December and lengthened to 400 m by the next day. During 5-6 December explosions ejected incandescent material 100 m above the summit.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

AVO reported that slow lava effusion at Great Sitkin likely continued during 1-7 December. Elevated surface temperatures at the summit were periodically detected through the week. The Aviation Color Code and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Orange and Watch, respectively.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that the jökulhlaup (glacial outburst flood) due to subsidence of the ice shelf in Grímsvötn’s caldera continued until 6 December. Subsidence of the ice shelf into the underlying lake had begun around 24 November in an area SE of Grímsfjall. Water from the lake drained from the E side of Skeiðarárjökull and from a channel in the middle of a trail into the Gígjukvísl River, causing rising waters first detected in that river overnight during 30 November-1 December. By 2 December the flow rate in the river was 930 meters per second, triple what was detected three days before, and 10 times the normal seasonal rate. Daily measurements showed that the flow rate continued to rise, likely peaking at 2,800 meters per second during the morning of 5 December; a second measurement later that day showed a lower discharge rate of 2,310 meters per second. The ice shelf continued to subside, though more slowly, and water turbulence in the lake had also decreased; the data indicated that the lake was mostly empty of water. A number of detected earthquakes were attributed to subsiding and breaking ice.

By 6 December the ice shelf had subsided a total of about 77 m. At 0615 an M 2.3 earthquake was immediately followed by a M 3.6 one minute later. Five more earthquakes were recorded during 1500-2130, though all were below M 1. IMO raised the Aviation Color Code to Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale) based on the increased seismicity during the previous few days, the larger events that morning, and considerations such as short run-up times seen before previous eruptions, and those past eruptions occasionally following flood events. Seismic tremor had decreased by the next day, and no signs of eruptive activity were indicated in gas or deformation data. On 7 December the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)

KVERT reported that on 25 November explosions at Karymsky generated ash plumes that rose as high as 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 30 km NW. A thermal anomaly was visible in satellite images during27-29 November. Explosions on 2 December produced ash plumes that rose up to 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 100 km ENE. Dates are based on UTC times. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

HVO reported that lava effusion continued at a vent in the lower W wall of Kīlauea's Halemaʻumaʻu Crater during 1-2 December. The rate of effusion sharply decreased, along with volcanic tremor levels, during 1600-1800 on 3 December. A small part of the vent cone collapsed at around 1700. No surface activity was observed on 5 December and most of the next day though weather conditions hindered visual confirmation; a few small hotspots around the vent were visible in thermal camera images. Lava was visible in the vent at about 1730 on 6 December and within 30 minutes was flowing into the lake. By 0300 on 7 December lava had covered the prior extent of the lava lake. The Aviation Color Code and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Orange and Watch, respectively.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

The eruption at La Palma continued during 1-7 December, characterized by Strombolian explosions and lava fountaining/jetting from multiple existing and new vents, advancing and sometimes branching lava flows, and almost daily ash emissions. Seismicity persisted at variable but elevated levels, with earthquake locations distributed at depths of 10-15 km and 30-40 km. Seismicity was intense at both levels during 30 November-2 December, though the intensity at deeper levels began to wane; in general, earthquake activity was low by the end of the week. Volcanic tremor levels fluctuated at medium to intense levels early in the week but by 3 December were also at low levels.

Several vents in the main cone continued to effuse lava, eject tephra, and emit ash-and-gas plumes. Lava moved W through pre-existing lava channels, lava tubes, over older flows, and over new ground, increasing the flow field that consists of overlapping flows (numbered 1-12) and two lava deltas. Persistent Strombolian activity was sometimes intense at the NE-flank vent during 1-3 December, and lava continued to feed flow 8 and the N delta. Lava fountains rose 400-500 m above the vent on 2 December. A new pyroclastic cone had formed around the vent, though it was unstable, and blocks from collapses of parts of it were transported downslope by lava flows. The northernmost flow, flow 12, traveled over new ground in the Fronton area and then rejoined flow 8 downslope. The flows reached part of the Tacande highway on 3 December. The vents in the main cone were quieter, periodically emitting ash and gasses. A N-S-oriented crack opened in an area 100 m S of the main vent, likely from subsidence, because it was not hot or emitting gas. The NE vent was quiet by 4 December.

On 3 December a new fissure opened on the SE of the main cone and produced Strombolian activity and fast-moving lava flows that traveled SW, along flow 10. The flow continued to advance W on 4 December, though at a slower rate as it moved over new ground in gaps between flows 3 and 11. Several new vents along an E-W fissure located W of Montaña del Cogote opened at noon on 4 December and produced multiple fast-moving lava flows. The flows descended SW over new ground, crossing into the municipalities of Tazacorte and Los Llanos de Aridane, destroying 60 homes. The flow joined flow 9, reached the sea cliff in the Las Hoyas area by 5 December, and descended the cliff the next day. During 6-7 December lava advanced W through multiple tubes and fed flows 1 and 2, and the S delta. The NE vent was quiet for a few days, but sporadic Strombolian activity and ash emissions had returned. Cracks and fractures in the upper part of the cone were visible. Several vents in the central and SE parts of the main cone also produced sporadic Strombolian activity and ash emissions. By 7 December lava had covered an estimated 11.82 square kilometers. The number of people that had evacuated and were staying in hotels had increased to 537.

Gas and ash emissions periodically impacted island residents. Suspended ash and high concentrations of volcanic gases triggered a few air-quality alerts mostly affecting the W part of the island; authorities warned residents in some areas to stay indoors. Residents and essential personnel were occasionally barred from entering the exclusion zones to irrigate crops and remove ash from streets and buildings. Ash-and-gas plumes visible during 1-3 and 6-7 December rose as high as 3.5 km a.s.l.; volcanic plumes drifted W, SW, and SSW all week, away from the airport. Daily measurements indicated that sulfur dioxide emissions persisted at “high” levels, indicating values of 1,000 to 29,999 tons per day.

Sources: Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (INVOLCAN), Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), Gobierno de Canaries

PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 1-7 December. Daily white-and-gray ash plumes that were sometimes dense rose as high as 800 m above the summit. Incandescent material was ejected from the vent on most days, and up to 300 m during 6-7 December, accompanied by roaring and rumbling. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 3 km away from the summit crater.

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

BPPTKG reported no notable morphological changes to Merapi’s summit lava dome, though the dome just below the SW rim had decreased about 2 m in height during 26 November-2 December. The estimated dome volumes were 1.61 million cubic meters for the SW dome and almost 2.95 million cubic meters for the summit dome. The intensity of the seismic signals was higher than the week before. As many as 170 lava avalanches traveled a maximum of 2 km SW. Two pyroclastic flows traveled a maximum of 3 km SW on 1 December. In a VONA (Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation), PVMBG stated that at 2104 on 1 December an ash plume rose 1 km above the summit and drifted E. According to BPPTKG a pyroclastic flow traveled 1.8 km down the Bebeng drainage on the SW flank at 1644 on 6 December. The event lasted two minutes and 40 seconds based on seismic data. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 3-5 km away from the summit based on location.

Sources: Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi (BPPTKG), Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

AVO reported that the eruption at Pavlof continued during 1-7 December, focused at a vent on the upper SE flank. Seismicity remained elevated and several daily explosions were detected using infrasound data. Elevated surface temperatures were observed in satellite data during 1-2 December, though cloud cover often prevented observations. No emissions were visible in mostly cloudy satellite and webcam views during 1-3 December. Minor ash emissions were visible in webcam images on 4 December and, based on webcam images and a pilot observation, the next day a diffuse ash plume rose as high as 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted tens of kilometers beyond the volcano. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

INSIVUMEH reported that the eruption at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex continued during 1-7 December. Avalanches generated by both lava effusion at the WSW part of Caliente dome and collapsing material descended the flanks in multiple directions, often reaching the base of the dome. Periodically the avalanches produced curtains of ash along their paths that dissipated near the volcano. Some of the avalanches were preceded by explosions detected by the seismic network and some were audible several kilometers away. During 2-3 and 6-7 December ash plumes rose 500 m above the summit and drifted 10 km NW and W, causing ashfall in areas downwind including San Marcos Palajunoj (8 km SW) and Loma Linda (6 km WSW). During 3-4 December ash-and-steam plumes rose 900 m and drifted SW and W.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

AVO reported that low-level eruptive activity and elevated seismicity at Semisopochnoi's North Cerberus crater continued during 1-7 December. Several daily explosions were detected in seismic and infrasound data. Weather clouds sometimes obscured satellite and webcam views of the volcano, though on most days low-level ash-and-steam plumes rising no higher than 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. were visible mostly in webcam images. During 3-4 December a diffuse ash plume was identified in a satellite image drifting about 100 km E. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 26 November-3 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

JMA reported that during 29 November-6 December about 47 explosions at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater produced eruption plumes that rose as high as 1.7 km above the crater rim and ejected blocks 600-700 m away from the crater. Plumes from non-explosive events rose as high has 2.3 km. Crater incandescence was visible nightly and ashfall was reported in Toshima village (4 km SSW). The Alert Level remained at 3 and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from the crater.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)