Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 13 September-19 September 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 4-11 September there were 52 events detected at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano), seven of which were explosive and ejected material as far as 500 m. Ash plumes rose as high as 2.4 km above the crater rim. Crater incandescence was observed most nights. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 8-15 September a lava flow continued to move down the W flank of Bezymianny's dome, and incandescence from the dome was visible at night. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during 8-9 and 12-13 September. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that during 13-19 September nothing significant was observed in partly to mostly cloudy satellite images of Bogoslof, and no activity was detected in seismic or infrasound data. Weakly elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 13-14 and 16-17 September, indicating ongoing unrest. On 17 September discoloured ocean water was visible in satellite data, possibly representing outflow from the crater. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that during 13-19 September nothing significant was observed in often cloudy satellite images and web camera views of Cleveland; elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 13-15 September and minor steaming was noted during 17-19 September. Nothing noteworthy was detected in seismic or infrasound data. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-16 and 18 September ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW, W, and NW.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 13-14 September generated ash plumes that rose 2.2 km (7,200 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : Based on INSIVUMEH notifications, CONRED reported that Fuego’s ninth effusive eruption phase in 2017 began on 13 September. Explosions generated ash plumes that rose 1.2 km above the crater and drifted 15 km W and SW, causing ashfall in communities downwind including San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km N), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), and Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW). Pyroclastic flows descended the Seca (Santa Teresa) ravine on the W flank. The eruptive phase ended about 35 hours later. INSIVUMEH noted that on 14 September, explosions generated ash plumes that rose 750 m and drifted 10 km W and SW. Shock waves from some explosions vibrated nearby structures. A lava flow was active in the Santa Teresa ravine. Explosions on 15 September produced ash plumes that rose as high as 750 m and drifted 5 km NW and SW. The lava flow was 300 m long. During 17-18 September ash plumes from explosions rose almost 1 km and drifted W and SW. Incandescent material was ejected 250 m above the crater rim, and caused avalanches of material around the crater area. Ashfall was reported in areas including Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), and El Porvenir.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : Based on satellite data, KVERT reported that ash explosions at Karymsky occurred at 0420 on 20 September, producing an ash cloud that drifted 95-100 km NNE. The Aviation colour Code was raised to Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 13-19 September HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of the crater. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain. On 13 September geologists noted that several prominent cracks running parallel to the coastline had widened in the past two weeks, underscoring the potential for bench collapse into the sea.

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that on 8 September a weak thermal anomaly at Klyuchevskoy was identified in satellite images. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Popocatepetl | Mexico : Each day during 12-19 September CENAPRED reported 141-299 steam and gas emissions from Popocatépetl. Cloud cover often prevented observations, though gas-and-steam plumes were visible daily. During 12-13 September there were 22 explosions detected, four of which generated emissions with minor amounts of ash and ejected incandescent tephra. An explosion was detected at 1820 on 14 September. On 19 September a plume with low ash content rose 1 km. CENAPRED stated that there was no significant increase in activity at Popocatépetl related to the M 7.1 earthquake, centered beneath Puebla (45 km E), that occurred at 1314. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.

Reventador | Ecuador : On 15 September, in a special report, IG summarized recent activity at Reventador noting lava flows during 24 June-1 July and 23-24 August, periods of frequent small explosions in August, and periods of explosions that were less frequent but moderate-to-large in size during July and September. Data indicated no changes in the internal and external activity of the volcano, suggesting that the eruption will continue with alternation of effusive and explosive activity in the next days to weeks.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya continued to decline; there was an average of 29 explosions recorded per day during 11-17 September. The earthquakes were dominated by long-period events and signals indicating emissions, with fewer numbers of hybrid events. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 2.5 km above the crater rim and drifted no more than 30 km E and SE. The MIROVA system detected one thermal anomaly. The report warned the public not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified daily in satellite images during 8-15 September. Several explosive events during 8-13 September generated ash plumes that rose 9-10 km (29,500-32,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 400 km NW, E, and SE. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on observations by PVMBG, webcam and satellite images, and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-16 and 18 September ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3-7.5 km (12,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and sometimes drifted ESE, SE, SW.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that events at Turrialba at 1555 on 13 September and 0600 on 14 September generated plumes that rose 300 m above the crater rim and drifted NW and W. Another event at 0703 on 18 September produced a plume that rose 400 m.