Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity:

Tolbachik (Kamchatka): Although believed to have more or less stopped a week ago, it seems that weak eruptive has continued and regained some strength again now. Weak tremor has reappeared and incandescence could be seen again at the active vent at Tolbachinsky Dol at night. Tourists could observe strombolian activity and effusion of lava into the tube system on 30 August.

Chirinkotan (Northern Kuriles): Some eruptive activity has been continuing throughout the past month at the remote volcano in the Kuriles. Various satellite data collected during the months of August and September show the presence of a strong thermal signal (perhaps a lava lake) and a gas and steam plume, which might contain at least small amounts of ash. The thermal signals were spotted on several occasions (when the usual dense cloud cover did not prevent it) during the month of August, which suggests that the eruptive activity has been continuous throughout the month.

Veniaminof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): Another phase of strong tremor started last night, probably corresponding to a second paroxysm with lava fountains and ash emissions. Bad weather conditions have been preventing direct observations. AVO has received no reports of ash fall on nearby communities, but this remains a possibility as the elevated levels of seismic activity continue. (AVO)

Fuego (Guatemala): A phase of increased lava flow activity occurred this morning from about 6 am local time, generating a series of pyroclastic flows that descended several ravines on different, but mostly the southwestern side of the volcano. The volcano has been in moderate effusive activity for at least the past two weeks, feeding relatively small lava flows on the upper steep slope. A sudden increase in effusion rate seems to have caused the destabilization of the lava flows, generating rockfalls that turned into pyroclastic flows. The lava flows have quickly increased from previously 200 m to about 2 km length. The surge of magma supply is also suggested by the appearance of strong tremor pulses the previous night.

Momotombo (Nicaragua): (1 Sep) The earthquake crisis has intensified today and developed into a swarm of shallow (around 5 km depth) earthquakes SE of the volcano. INETER reported already more than 30 quakes between magnitude 1-3 today. There is no official statement available so far, although this might well be a precursor for a possible eruption in the near future.