Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): Activity at the volcano remains comparably low. During 2-6 November, only two small-scale eruptions occurred at the Showa Crater. Alert level is kept at 3 out of 5.

Karangetang (Siau Island, Sangihe Islands, Indonesia): Activity at the volcano has decreased a bit, but the volcano continues to effuse viscous lava at its summit, feeding a lava flow and generating incandescent avalanches.

from the Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 4-10 November 2015:

Gamkonora (Halmahera): PVMBG reported that observers at the Gamkonora observation post in Gamsungi (6 km NW), West Halmahera, reported that during 1 August-3 November diffuse white plumes rose up to 70 m above the crater rim.

RSAM values fluctuated; an increase was detected in October coincident with a period of increased tremor. The Alert Level was lowered to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) on 1 July. Residents and tourists were asked not to venture near the crater within a radius of 1.5 km.

Gamalama (Halmahera): PVMBG reported that during 1 August-4 November seismicity at Gamalama fluctuated, and was dominated by hybrid earthquakes and signals indicating emissions. 3 periods of increased seismicity were recorded during 3-5 and 11-19 August, and 8-22 October, though seismicity declined overall.

A sudden, small eruption from a fissure on the NW flank occurred at 19:53 on 8 September with no precursory seismicity, and produced a plume that rose 1 km. Gray plumes rose from 300-600 m the vent during 9-24 September.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): The eruption of the volcano, slow extrusion of viscous lava, continues with little changes.

A lava lobe is active on the SE upper flank. Occasionally, parts of this lobe and/or the dome collapse to produce pyroclastic flows that reach up to 3-4 km distance.

Sangeang Api (Indonesia): PVMBG reported that observers at the Sangeang Api observation post in Desa Sangeang Darat, Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, reported that during 1 July-30 September diffuse white plumes rose up to 250 m above the crater rim. During 1 October-1 November white-to-gray plumes rose as high as 350 m.

Beginning on 23 October occasional weak thumping noises were reported. Crater incandescence possibly indicated lava-dome growth or lava-flow advancement.

The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4); visitors and residents were warned not to approach the crater within a 1.5-km radius.

Paluweh (off Flores Island, Indonesia): PVMBG reported that observers at a post located in Kampung Ropa, Keliwumbu Village, noted that during 1 August-2 November diffuse white plumes rose as high as 200 m above Paluweh.

Seismicity remained relatively stable. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and tourists were reminded not to approach the summit within a radius of 1.5 km.

Lokon-Empung (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): PVMBG reported that during 28 October-5 November observers at the post in Kakaskasen Tomohon (North Sulawesi, 4 km from the crater), saw white plumes rising as high as 125 m above the crater.

Seismicity fluctuated, but the seismic spectral amplitude measurement (SSAM) showed an increasing trend. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and tourists were reminded not to approach the crater within a radius of 2.5 km.

Fuego (Guatemala): The strong eruptive phase (paroxysm) at the volcano ended over night and activity returned to normal levels of intermittent strombolian explosions.

A gradual decrease of activity began yesterday afternoon, when pyroclastic flows stopped and explosions at the summit decreased in size and frequency. This morning, the lava flow was still active, but its length had decreased from 2.5 to 1.5 km.

Cotopaxi (Ecuador): Intermittent explosions continue at the volcano. IG reported that during 4-10 November gas, steam, and ash plumes rose almost daily from Cotopaxi as high as 1.5 km above the crater.

Minor ashfall was reported S of the volcano on 6 November, and small lahars descended the W flank during 6 and 8-9 November.

Tungurahua (Ecuador): The volcano continues to produce intermittent mild explosions with ash emissions that produce columns that rise up to approx 1 km.