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 14 December-20 December 2022
Name	Location	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Ahyi	Mariana Islands (USA)	2024 Jan 1	New
Cotopaxi	Ecuador	—	New
Etna	Sicily (Italy)	2022 Nov 27	New
Klyuchevskoy	Central Kamchatka (Russia)	2023 Jun 22	New
Lascar	Northern Chile	—	New
Semeru	Eastern Java	2017 Jun 6	New
Aira	Kyushu (Japan)	2017 Mar 25	Continuing
Alaid	Kuril Islands (Russia)	—	Continuing
Bezymianny	Central Kamchatka (Russia)	2016 Dec 5	Continuing
Ebeko	Paramushir Island (Russia)	2022 Jun 11	Continuing
Great Sitkin	Andreanof Islands (USA)	2021 May 25	Continuing
Karymsky	Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)	—	Continuing
Kerinci	Central Sumatra	—	Continuing
Krakatau	Sunda Strait	—	Continuing
Merapi	Central Java	2020 Dec 31	Continuing
Nevado del Ruiz	Colombia	2014 Nov 18	Continuing
Pavlof	Alaska Peninsula, Alaska	—	Continuing
Popocatepetl	Mexico	2005 Jan 9	Continuing
Rincon de la Vieja	Costa Rica	2021 Jun 28	Continuing
San Miguel	Eastern El Salvador	—	Continuing
Sheveluch	Central Kamchatka (Russia)	1999 Aug 15	Continuing
Suwanosejima	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)	2004 Oct 23	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Ahyi | 14 December-20 December 2022 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Ahyi
Mariana Islands (USA)

Unrest continued to be detected at Ahyi Seamount during 14-20 December. Wake Island hydrophone sensors detected daily signals consistent with explosions. A possible underwater plume was observed in satellite images on 18 December, and definite but diffuse plumes were visible to the SSE of the vent during 19-20 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory (the second lowest level on a four-level scale).

Source: US Geological Survey

Cotopaxi | 14 December-20 December 2022 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Cotopaxi
Ecuador

IG reported that the low-level eruption at Cotopaxi continued during 14-20 December, characterized by daily steam-and-gas emissions with low ash content. At 0626 on 14 December an ash emission rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted W, causing ashfall within Parque Nacional Cotopaxi. Weather clouds sometimes obscured views of the volcano; between weather clouds during 14-16 December steam-and gas plumes with low ash content were seen rising as high as 500 m above the crater rim and drifting W. Several emissions with low or very low ash content rose as high as 800 m above the crater rim and drifted W and SW during 16-17 December; similar emissions rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim and drifted W and SW during 18-20 December based on webcam views and Washington VAAC notices. Ashfall was reported in San Pedro de Taboada (40 km N), Uyumbicho (30 km NNW), Güitig Alta, Güitig Baja, Conocoto (42 km N), Sur de Quito, Chimbacalle (48 km NNW), La Magdalena (48 km NNW), Barrio Nuevo, Villaflora (48 km NNW), Miraflores, and La Floresta (50 km N) during 19-20 December. Servicio Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos y Emergencias (SNGRE) maintained the Alert Level at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).

Sources: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN), Servicio Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos y Emergencias (SNGRE)

Etna | 14 December-20 December 2022 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Etna
Sicily (Italy)

INGV reported that the vents at the NE base of Etna’s SE Crater, in the Valle del Leone, continued to feed lava flows during 7-18 December. The active flow field consisted of a main lava flow and several breakouts that fed smaller lava flows. A small hornito formed at the vent area and ejected pieces of lava.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

Klyuchevskoy | 14 December-20 December 2022 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Klyuchevskoy
Central Kamchatka (Russia)

KVERT reported that the explosive Strombolian eruption at Klyuchevskoy that began on 16 November had decreased. The Kamchatka Branch of Geophysical Services (KBGS; Russian Academy of Sciences) noted that possible ash plumes rose as high as 150 m above the summit on 1 December. KVERT began to characterize the activity as moderate on 6 December and noted that the periodic thermal anomalies identified in satellite images had become weak on 9 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Institute of Volcanology and Geodynamics, Russian Academy of Natural Science

Lascar | 14 December-20 December 2022 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Lascar
Northern Chile

SERNAGEOMIN reported that seismic signals characterized as moderate were recorded on 19 December and located near Láscar’s main crater at shallow depths. The seismicity was the most notable recorded since the eruption on 10 December. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the public were warned to stay at least 5 km away from the crater. ONEMI maintained the Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for San Pedro de Atacama (70 km NW).

Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

Semeru | 14 December-20 December 2022 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Semeru
Eastern Java

PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 16-20 December. At 0455 on 16 December an eruptive event produced a dense white, gray, and brown plume that rose 1 km above the summit and drifted N. At 0500 on 18 December a dense gray ash plume rose 300 m and drifted N and NE. At 0623 and 0755 that same day dense white-and-gray ash plumes rose 1 km and 700 m, respectively, and drifted N. At 0516 and 0703 on 19 December white-and-gray ash plumes rose 400-700 m and drifted N and NE. At 1558 a dense gray-to-brown ash plume rose 1.5 km and drifted N and NE. At 0545 on 20 December an ash plume rose 600 m and drifted N. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). The public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the summit, and 500 m from Kobokan drainages within 17 km of the summit, along with other drainages originating on Semeru, including the Bang, Kembar, and Sat, due to lahar, avalanche, and pyroclastic flow hazards.

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

Aira | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Aira
Kyushu (Japan)

JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 12-19 December. Crater incandescence was visible nightly. Two explosions on 14 December produced eruption plumes that rose as high as 1.7 km and disappeared into weather clouds. Blocks were ejected as far as 700 m. An explosion at 0805 on 17 December produced a plume that rose 700 m and into the clouds. Blocks were ejected 900 m. 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)

Alaid | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Alaid
Kuril Islands (Russia)

KVERT reported that the eruption at Alaid was ongoing during 8-15 December. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 8, 12, and 14 December; weather clouds obscured observations on the other days. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Bezymianny | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Bezymianny
Central Kamchatka (Russia)

KVERT reported that during 8-15 December a daily thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Ebeko | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ebeko
Paramushir Island (Russia)

KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing during 8-15 December. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions on 9 December generated ash plumes that rose to 2.6 km (8,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. The volcano was obscured by weather clouds on the other days of the week. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Great Sitkin | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Great Sitkin
Andreanof Islands (USA)

AVO reported that slow lava effusion likely continued at Great Sitkin during 13-20 December, though satellite and webcam observations were mostly obscured by clouds. Nothing notable was observed in clear webcam and satellite views during 19-20 December. No significant seismic activity was detected. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the second highest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Karymsky | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Karymsky
Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)

KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly at Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 12 and 13 December. Gas-and-steam emissions persisted. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Kerinci | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kerinci
Central Sumatra

PVMBG reported that daily white steam-and-gas plumes rose as high as 150 m above Kerinci’s summit and drifted NE and NW during 14-17 December. Brown plumes rose 100 m above the summit and drifted NW and E during 17-19 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). 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.

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

Krakatau | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Krakatau
Sunda Strait

PVMBG reported that at 1031 on 15 December an eruptive event at Anak Krakatau produced a dense gray ash plume that rose 700 m above summit and drifted NE. Four minutes later a white-and-gray ash plume rose 100 m and drifted NE. At 1910 a gray ash plume rose 100 m and drifted E. An image from 1936 showed incandescent material being ejected above vent. Weather clouds often prevented views of the volcano during 16-19 December, though white plumes were occasionally seen rising as high as 50 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the crater.

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

Merapi | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Merapi
Central Java

BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 9-15 December and seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome produced four lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.5 km down the SW flank (upstream in the Kali Bebeng drainage). No significant morphological changes to the central and SW lava domes were evident. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 3-7 km away from the summit based on location.

Source: Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi (BPPTKG)

Nevado del Ruiz | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Nevado del Ruiz
Colombia

Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) reported that seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz began to increase at around 1550 on 13 December. The signals indicated moving fluids within the volcano’s conduit, and some were associated with pulsating gas-and-ash emissions seen from several surrounding municipalities. Ashfall was reported on 14 December in several municipalities including Dosquebradas (40 km WSW), Santa Rosa de Cabal (34 km W), and Pereira (40 km WSW in Risaralda), Manizales (27 km NW) and Villamaría (26 km NW in Caldas), and in the Los Nevados National Natural Park sector. The Alert Level remained at 3 (Yellow; the second lowest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)

Pavlof | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Pavlof
Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

AVO reported that no elevated surface temperatures or incandescent lava at Pavlof had been observed in satellite and webcam images since 2 December. Seismicity remained above background levels with intermittent seismic tremor, though explosions had not been recorded since 7 December. On 17 December AVO lowered the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory (the second lowest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Popocatepetl | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Popocatepetl
Mexico

CENAPRED reported that there were 53-196 steam-and-gas emissions, sometimes containing minor amounts of ash, rising from Popocatépetl each day during 13-20 December. Explosions were recorded at 0747 and 0849 on 15 December. A series of 12 explosions were recorded midweek, at 2107 and 2143 on 17 December and at 0102, 0247, 0404, 0440, 0604, 0614, 0639, 0741, 0752, and 0957 on 18 December. Some of the explosions ejected incandescent material onto the upper flanks based on posted images and video. Two minor explosions were detected at 1323 and 2252 on 18 December. A minor explosion was recorded at 0250 on 19 December and two moderate ones occurred at 0045 and 0639 that same day. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (the middle level on a three-color scale).

Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)

Rincon de la Vieja | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Rincon de la Vieja
Costa Rica

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small phreatic explosions continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 14-20 December. A small phreatic explosion at 0828 on 14 December produced a steam plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim. An associated sulfur dioxide anomaly was registered at a station located to the W of the crater. Small phreatic events were also recorded at 1433 on 15 December, at 0314 and 2042 on 16 December, at 1958 on 17 December, and 0119 on 20 December, though cloudy weather conditions prevented visual confirmation.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

San Miguel | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

San Miguel
Eastern El Salvador

On 14 December MARN reported that activity at San Miguel continued to decrease. They noted that there were no major changes to seismicity and gas emissions, though minor explosions were occasionally detected by the seismic network and manifested as small gas emissions. Sulfur dioxide emissions were below the baseline of 300 tons per day.

Source: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARN)

Sheveluch | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sheveluch
Central Kamchatka (Russia)

KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch during 8-15 December was generally characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, lava-dome extrusion, and strong fumarolic activity. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Suwanosejima | 14 December-20 December 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Suwanosejima
Ryukyu Islands (Japan)

JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 12-19 December. No explosions were recorded. Eruption plumes rose at least 1.7 km above the crater rim and blocks were ejected as far as 100 m from the vent. Crater incandescence was visible at night during 12-16 December and ashfall was occasionally reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW) during 16-19 December. 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)

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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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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 Ahyi
Unrest continued to be detected at Ahyi Seamount during 14-20 December. Wake Island hydrophone sensors detected daily signals consistent with explosions. A possible underwater plume was observed in satellite images on 18 December, and definite but diffuse plumes were visible to the SSE of the vent during 19-20 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory (the second lowest level on a four-level scale).
Source: US Geological Survey

Report for Cotopaxi
IG reported that the low-level eruption at Cotopaxi continued during 14-20 December, characterized by daily steam-and-gas emissions with low ash content. At 0626 on 14 December an ash emission rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted W, causing ashfall within Parque Nacional Cotopaxi. Weather clouds sometimes obscured views of the volcano; between weather clouds during 14-16 December steam-and gas plumes with low ash content were seen rising as high as 500 m above the crater rim and drifting W. Several emissions with low or very low ash content rose as high as 800 m above the crater rim and drifted W and SW during 16-17 December; similar emissions rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim and drifted W and SW during 18-20 December based on webcam views and Washington VAAC notices. Ashfall was reported in San Pedro de Taboada (40 km N), Uyumbicho (30 km NNW), Güitig Alta, Güitig Baja, Conocoto (42 km N), Sur de Quito, Chimbacalle (48 km NNW), La Magdalena (48 km NNW), Barrio Nuevo, Villaflora (48 km NNW), Miraflores, and La Floresta (50 km N) during 19-20 December. Servicio Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos y Emergencias (SNGRE) maintained the Alert Level at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).
Sources: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN), Servicio Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos y Emergencias (SNGRE)

Report for Etna
INGV reported that the vents at the NE base of Etna’s SE Crater, in the Valle del Leone, continued to feed lava flows during 7-18 December. The active flow field consisted of a main lava flow and several breakouts that fed smaller lava flows. A small hornito formed at the vent area and ejected pieces of lava.
Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

Report for Klyuchevskoy
KVERT reported that the explosive Strombolian eruption at Klyuchevskoy that began on 16 November had decreased. The Kamchatka Branch of Geophysical Services (KBGS; Russian Academy of Sciences) noted that possible ash plumes rose as high as 150 m above the summit on 1 December. KVERT began to characterize the activity as moderate on 6 December and noted that the periodic thermal anomalies identified in satellite images had become weak on 9 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).
Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Institute of Volcanology and Geodynamics, Russian Academy of Natural Science

Report for Lascar
SERNAGEOMIN reported that seismic signals characterized as moderate were recorded on 19 December and located near Láscar’s main crater at shallow depths. The seismicity was the most notable recorded since the eruption on 10 December. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the public were warned to stay at least 5 km away from the crater. ONEMI maintained the Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for San Pedro de Atacama (70 km NW).
Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

Report for Semeru
PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 16-20 December. At 0455 on 16 December an eruptive event produced a dense white, gray, and brown plume that rose 1 km above the summit and drifted N. At 0500 on 18 December a dense gray ash plume rose 300 m and drifted N and NE. At 0623 and 0755 that same day dense white-and-gray ash plumes rose 1 km and 700 m, respectively, and drifted N. At 0516 and 0703 on 19 December white-and-gray ash plumes rose 400-700 m and drifted N and NE. At 1558 a dense gray-to-brown ash plume rose 1.5 km and drifted N and NE. At 0545 on 20 December an ash plume rose 600 m and drifted N. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). The public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the summit, and 500 m from Kobokan drainages within 17 km of the summit, along with other drainages originating on Semeru, including the Bang, Kembar, and Sat, due to lahar, avalanche, and pyroclastic flow hazards.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Report for Aira
JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 12-19 December. Crater incandescence was visible nightly. Two explosions on 14 December produced eruption plumes that rose as high as 1.7 km and disappeared into weather clouds. Blocks were ejected as far as 700 m. An explosion at 0805 on 17 December produced a plume that rose 700 m and into the clouds. Blocks were ejected 900 m. 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)

Report for Alaid
KVERT reported that the eruption at Alaid was ongoing during 8-15 December. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 8, 12, and 14 December; weather clouds obscured observations on the other days. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Report for Bezymianny
KVERT reported that during 8-15 December a daily thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Report for Ebeko
KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing during 8-15 December. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions on 9 December generated ash plumes that rose to 2.6 km (8,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. The volcano was obscured by weather clouds on the other days of the week. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Report for Great Sitkin
AVO reported that slow lava effusion likely continued at Great Sitkin during 13-20 December, though satellite and webcam observations were mostly obscured by clouds. Nothing notable was observed in clear webcam and satellite views during 19-20 December. No significant seismic activity was detected. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the second highest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Report for Karymsky
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly at Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 12 and 13 December. Gas-and-steam emissions persisted. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Report for Kerinci
PVMBG reported that daily white steam-and-gas plumes rose as high as 150 m above Kerinci’s summit and drifted NE and NW during 14-17 December. Brown plumes rose 100 m above the summit and drifted NW and E during 17-19 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). 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.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Report for Krakatau
PVMBG reported that at 1031 on 15 December an eruptive event at Anak Krakatau produced a dense gray ash plume that rose 700 m above summit and drifted NE. Four minutes later a white-and-gray ash plume rose 100 m and drifted NE. At 1910 a gray ash plume rose 100 m and drifted E. An image from 1936 showed incandescent material being ejected above vent. Weather clouds often prevented views of the volcano during 16-19 December, though white plumes were occasionally seen rising as high as 50 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the crater.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Report for Merapi
BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 9-15 December and seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome produced four lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.5 km down the SW flank (upstream in the Kali Bebeng drainage). No significant morphological changes to the central and SW lava domes were evident. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 3-7 km away from the summit based on location.
Source: Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi (BPPTKG)

Report for Nevado del Ruiz
Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) reported that seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz began to increase at around 1550 on 13 December. The signals indicated moving fluids within the volcano’s conduit, and some were associated with pulsating gas-and-ash emissions seen from several surrounding municipalities. Ashfall was reported on 14 December in several municipalities including Dosquebradas (40 km WSW), Santa Rosa de Cabal (34 km W), and Pereira (40 km WSW in Risaralda), Manizales (27 km NW) and Villamaría (26 km NW in Caldas), and in the Los Nevados National Natural Park sector. The Alert Level remained at 3 (Yellow; the second lowest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)

Report for Pavlof
AVO reported that no elevated surface temperatures or incandescent lava at Pavlof had been observed in satellite and webcam images since 2 December. Seismicity remained above background levels with intermittent seismic tremor, though explosions had not been recorded since 7 December. On 17 December AVO lowered the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory (the second lowest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Report for Popocatepetl
CENAPRED reported that there were 53-196 steam-and-gas emissions, sometimes containing minor amounts of ash, rising from Popocatépetl each day during 13-20 December. Explosions were recorded at 0747 and 0849 on 15 December. A series of 12 explosions were recorded midweek, at 2107 and 2143 on 17 December and at 0102, 0247, 0404, 0440, 0604, 0614, 0639, 0741, 0752, and 0957 on 18 December. Some of the explosions ejected incandescent material onto the upper flanks based on posted images and video. Two minor explosions were detected at 1323 and 2252 on 18 December. A minor explosion was recorded at 0250 on 19 December and two moderate ones occurred at 0045 and 0639 that same day. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (the middle level on a three-color scale).
Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)

Report for Rincon de la Vieja
OVSICORI-UNA reported that small phreatic explosions continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 14-20 December. A small phreatic explosion at 0828 on 14 December produced a steam plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim. An associated sulfur dioxide anomaly was registered at a station located to the W of the crater. Small phreatic events were also recorded at 1433 on 15 December, at 0314 and 2042 on 16 December, at 1958 on 17 December, and 0119 on 20 December, though cloudy weather conditions prevented visual confirmation.
Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

Report for San Miguel
On 14 December MARN reported that activity at San Miguel continued to decrease. They noted that there were no major changes to seismicity and gas emissions, though minor explosions were occasionally detected by the seismic network and manifested as small gas emissions. Sulfur dioxide emissions were below the baseline of 300 tons per day.
Source: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARN)

Report for Sheveluch
KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch during 8-15 December was generally characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, lava-dome extrusion, and strong fumarolic activity. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Report for Suwanosejima
JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 12-19 December. No explosions were recorded. Eruption plumes rose at least 1.7 km above the crater rim and blocks were ejected as far as 100 m from the vent. Crater incandescence was visible at night during 12-16 December and ashfall was occasionally reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW) during 16-19 December. 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)