Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 20 September-26 September 2017

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : BNPB noted that as of 1300 on 22 September there were 9,421 people displaced from the evacuation zones at Agung. Seismicity continued to increase, therefore later that day on 22 September PVMBG raised the Alert Level to 4 (the highest level on a scale of 1-4) and expanded the exclusion zone to 9 km, with an additional expansion to 12 km in the SE, S, and SW directions. On 24 September BNPB reported that the number of refugees continued to grow, as residents were leaving the expanded evacuation zones; there were 34,931 people in 238 shelters. The report noted that some evacuees were returning home in the daytime to feed their livestock. On 27 September the number of evacuees reached 96,086 (spread out in 430 shelters), seismic activity continued to escalate, and diffuse white plumes rose 50 m above the crater rim.

Aoba | Vanuatu : On 23 September the Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory (VGO) stated that activity at Aoba continued to increase, prompting them to raise the Alert Level to 4 (the second highest level on a scale of 0-5). On 24 September photos showed an ash plume rising above the crater rim, and ashfall was reported in areas across the island. One report noted that ashfall had been reported for a few weeks. The Vanuatu government’s Council of Ministers declared a state of emergency on the island on 26 September; about 36 schools were closed. That same day the New Zealand Defence Force conducted an overflight and posted a video showing an ash plume and lava fountains rising from the vent. On 27 September a news article stated that about 8,000 residents were in 35 evacuation shelters, mostly evacuated from the N and S parts of the island to the E and W areas.

Lopevi | Vanuatu : Increased activity at Lopevi prompted the Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory to increase the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 0-4). The report noted that all visitors should not approach the crater area.

San Cristobal | Nicaragua : Based on seismic data INETER reported that a period of tremor recorded at San Cristóbal during 1939-2005 on 9 September ended with an explosion signal.

Telica | Nicaragua : INETER reported that a small gas explosion was heard by local residents on 10 September. INETER warned the public to stay at least 2 km away from the crater.