Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 11 January-17 January 2017

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported strong gas-and-steam emissions at Bezymianny during 6-13 January, and a thermal anomaly over the volcano during 8-10 and 12 January. On 13 January KVERT noted that activity had gradually decreased after an intensification during 5-24 December 2016, though a thermal anomaly remained visible. The Aviation Colour Code was lowered to Yellow.

Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that photos taken by a pilot on 10 January showed Bogoslof covered with dark gray ash, and a roughly 300-m-diameter submarine explosion crater on the E side of the island. Unrest continued during 11-17 January. Two short-lived explosions (five to six minutes long) were seismically detected at 1123 and 1230 on 12 January and observed by pilots. The estimated altitudes of the first and second plumes were 5.5 and 4.4 km (18,000 and 14,500 ft) a.s.l., respectively. Seismicity again increased at 2126 on 14 January and remained elevated. Six explosive events were detected between 2216 on 14 January and 0350 on 15 January. No volcanic clouds were identified in satellite data, although one lightning strike was recorded at 2232 on 14 January. Increased seismicity on 17 January indicated minor explosive activity; steam plumes with minor amounts of ash rose no higher than 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : On 16 January KVERT reported that activity at Ebeko had decreased; satellite images showed quiet conditions during the past few weeks, and only steam-and-gas emissions were observed on 12 January. The Aviation Colour Code was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 15 January a minor ash plume from Ibu rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 30 km E. On 17 January PVMBG noted that an ash plume rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l., or 200 m above the summit, and drifted E.

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 6-13 January gas-and-steam emissions from Klyuchevskoy sometimes contained minor amounts of ash. Satellite images showed a daily thermal anomaly over the volcano and ash plumes that drifted 160 km ESE during 9-10 January. The Aviation Colour Code was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale) on 16 January.

Lopevi | Vanuatu : Based on a pilot observation and webcam views, the Wellington VAAC reported that an eruption at Lopevi began at 0500 on 13 January, and produced a plume that rose no higher that 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. That same day the Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory reported that the Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 0-5), indicating that a minor eruption was in progress.

Sabancaya | Peru : Based mostly on webcam views, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that sporadic gas-and-ash puffs rose from Sabancaya during 11-14 and 16-17 January. Partial satellite views on 13 January revealed an ash plume at an altitude of 7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l. On 16 January a pilot observed an ash plume that had risen to an altitude of 8.2 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l., though meteorological cloud cover prevented satellite and webcam confirmation.