Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 28 December-3 January 2017

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 28 December 2017-3 January 2017 HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise and fall, circulate, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook vent, and was visible from the Jaggar Museum overlook on most days. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean near Kamokuna at the easternmost lava delta. An active branch of 61G remained active E of Pu'u 'O'o and advanced slowly E at a rate of only a few tens of meters per day. On 31 December almost all of the Kamokuna lava delta had collapsed, along with a large section (180 m long and 70 m wide) of the older sea cliff E of the lava delta.

Nevado del Ruiz | Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that during 27 December 2016-2 January 2017 seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz continued to indicate unrest. Some of the seismic signals were associated with gas-and-ash emissions, as confirmed by webcam images and officials in the Parque Nacional Natural los Nevados. A low-energy thermal anomaly was identified by the MIROVA system on 29 December. On 2 January a gas, water vapor, and ash plume rose 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted between SW and NW directions. The Alert Level remained at III (Yellow; the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 23-30 December lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by strong fumarolic activity, dome incandescence, ash explosions, and hot avalanches. Satellite images showed a daily thermal anomaly over the dome. Explosions recorded by a webcam on 24 December generated ash plumes that rose 6.5-7 km (21,300-23,000 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG observations, webcam views, satellite images, and wind data the Darwin VAAC reported that during 28 December 2016-1 January 2017 ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3-5.6 km (10,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and sometimes drifted SW. A thermal anomaly was detected in satellite images on 30 December.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 2212 on 28 December and at 0335 on 30 December events at Turrialba generated plumes of unknown height due to poor visibility conditions. An event at 0801 on 30 December produced a dense and passive emission of ash that rose 300 m above the crater and drifted SW. An event later that same day, at 2001, produced a plume that was not visible.