Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 11 October - 17 October 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 10-16 October there were 18 events detected at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano), two of which were explosive. Plumes rose as high as 1.9 km above the crater rim, and material was ejected as far as 800 m. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : On 13 October AVO reported that the lava dome in Cleveland’s summit crater, first observed in satellite data on 30 September, had doubled in size during 1-11 October. The lava dome covered an area of 8,300 square meters, and had approximate dimensions of 115 x 95 m. The number and intensity of elevated surface temperatures identified in satellite data had declined during the week, possibly indicating slowed or paused dome growth. A small steam plume was observed in mostly clear web camera views during 15-16 October, and moderately elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images on 16 October; these observations suggested continuing dome growth. 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 11-14 October ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE, E, and NE.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 6-7, 9, and 12 October generated ash plumes that rose as high as 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash fell in Severo-Kurilsk on 7, 9, and 12 October. Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a plume comprised of re-suspended ash was identified in satellite images drifting about 320 km E from Karymsky during 11-12 October. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 11-17 October 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 cracks on the delta that had been covered up by new flows had begun to reemerge and become visible. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain.

Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 11 and 15-16 October ash plumes from Langila rose 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, NNW, and NW.

Nevados de Chillan : Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) reported that a series of six pulsating gas-and-tephra emissions from low-energy explosions began at 0843 on 11 October. The plumes rose 1 km and drifted SW. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, the middle level on a three-colour scale, and the public was reminded not to approach the craters within a 3-km radius.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 13-14 October Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone ejected material as high as 25 m above the crater rim.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya was similar to the previous week; there was an average of 41 explosions recorded per day during 9-15 October. The earthquakes were dominated by long-period events, with fewer numbers of signals indicating emissions and hybrid events. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 3.1 km above the crater rim and drifted more than 35 km S and SE. The MIROVA system detected four thermal anomalies. The report warned the public not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Sangay | Ecuador : The Washington VAAC reported that during 12-13 October ash emissions from Sangay rose to an altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S.

Santa Maria | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that on 11 October a moderate lahar descended the Cabello de Ángel and the Nimá I drainages, both tributaries of the Salama river. During 12-13 October ash plumes generated by explosions rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted SE, causing ashfall in Finca San José. Avalanches of material descended the SE part of the lava dome. On 13 October the seismic network detected moderate-to-strong lahars in the Cabello de Ángel and the Nimá I drainages triggered by heavy rain. Explosions during 13-14 October produced ash plumes that drifted SW, causing ashfall in La Florida (5 km S) ranch. Ash plumes from explosions detected during 15-16 October rose 600 m and drifted S. Ash fell locally around the volcano. Avalanches of material descended the NE and SE parts of the lava dome.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 9-11 October. Explosions on 10 October generated ash plumes that rose 10 km (32,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 250 km N. A plume comprised of re-suspended ash drifted about 350 km SE from the vicinity of the volcano on 12 October. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : BNPB stated that at 1051 on 11 October an event at Sinabung generated an ash plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater and drifted ESE, causing ashfall in several local villages. At 0245 on 12 October an event produced an ash plume that rose 2 km above the crater, and was followed by pyroclastic flows traveling 1.5 and 2 km down the S and ESE flanks, respectively. The report noted that activity remained high. Based on observations by PVMBG and information from the Jakarta MWO, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-15 October ash plumes rose as high as 3 km above the crater. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), with an exclusion zone of 7 km from the volcano on the SSE sector, and 6 km in the ESE sector, and 4 km in the NNE sector.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : Based on JMA notices and satellite data, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 11 October an explosion at Suwanosejima generated a plume that rose 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Turrialba at 0927 on 11 October generated an ash plume that rose 200 m above the crater rim and drifted N.