Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): Several pyroclastic flows, some relatively large, have occurred over the past days. While the slow effusive activity itself has not significantly changes, the lava dome and its viscous lava lobes that spilled over onto the steep upper flanks are now undergoing a phase of increased collapses due to increased instability.

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): The internal and external activity of the volcano has increased during the past two weeks. Several pulses of tremor were accompanied by ash emissions that produced plumes that rose up to 1.5 2.5 km above the crater, last on 17 and 19 Sep. As fall occurred in areas west of the volcano including Pereira, Dosquebradas, Santa Rosa, Chinchiná, Villamaría, and Manizales. Weak incandescence, probably due to hot gasses, has been noted from the Arenas crater at night since early Sep. A small explosion on 4 Sep produced incandescent ejecta. At the moment, it is unclear whether fresh magma has been involved in the recent activity or whether it is phreatic in origin, i.e. caused by overheated water circulating in the volcano's upper hydrothermal system.

Cotopaxi (Ecuador): The volcano remains active at low to moderate levels (seismicity and emissions). It continues to produce mild ash emissions that usually drift westwards and rise approx. 1 km from the crater. The government continues to train local people from potentially endangered zones, responsible for small groups, to be prepared and react in case of emergency. Measures include lectures on contingency planning on family level, emergency kits and evacuation route maps.

Meru (Tanzania): A new eruption has been reported yesterday from the volcano, which has last been active 105 years ago. An ash plume was seen rising approx. 1 km and drifting NW from what looks like a lateral vent on the northern slope of the volcano near Arusha town. The are no reports of damage or fatalities. According to local sources, people in the area around the volcano have been experiencing an increased number of small felt earthquakes in recent months.