Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Santiaguito (Guatemala): A particularly strong vulcanian explosion occurred at the Caliente lava dome this morning (at 06_58 local time), sending a massive mushroom-shaped ash plume to several kilometres height that eventually reached approx. 20,000 ft or 7 km altitude). The cone and its immediate surroundings were showered by volcanic blocks and bombs and collapsing material from the eruption produced avalanches that engulfed the cone on several sides (pyroclastic flows). The ash plume drifted to the WNW and caused significant ash falls in areas as far as the border with Mexico (e.g. Cacahotàn, 75 km distance). Light ash fall was even recorded in greater distances, e.g. the Mexican town of Soconusco in 145 km distance. The eruption came bare 48 hours after the previous one on Sunday. It can well be that the volcano is currently entering a phase of particularly increased activity.

Colima (Western Mexico): The volcano's activity seems to have picked up a little bit. Several explosions occurred today, producing ash plumes that rose to up to 14-18,000 ft (4-6 km) altitude and dispersed into westerly directions. During intervals between eruptions, degassing is visible from several vents inside the summit crater (where a small lava dome is likely continuing to grow slowly).

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): The volcano's activity has been essentially unchanged over the past week. On average, 2-4 explosions have been occurring daily - mostly small events with plumes less than 1 km tall - and about 50-100 pulses of steam emissions ("exhalations"). Glow at night visible from the crater indicates that magma continues to slowly rise and accumulate there. The official alert level remains at "Yellow Phase 2".