Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 22 November - 28 November 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that events at Minamidake summit crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were occasionally detected during 20-27 November. Crater incandescence was visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Aoba | Vanuatu : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, webcam views, and model data, the Wellington VAAC reported that during 22-24 November steam plumes from Aoba with possible ash content rose 1.8-3.7 km (6,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE, S, W, and N.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that during 22-28 November no significant activity at Cleveland was visible in cloudy to partly cloudy satellite images, and no activity was detected by seismic or infrasound sensors. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Copahue | Central Chile-Argentina border : Based on satellite and webcam views, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 21 and 24-27 November thin and diffuse steam plumes containing minor amounts of ash rose from Copahue and drifted E and NE. The plumes rose to altitudes of 3.3-3.6 km (11,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. during 25-26 November.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 22-28 November ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 2.1-2.3 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 17-18 and 20-21 November generated ash plumes that rose as high as 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk on 22 November. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 22-28 November 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. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain.

Popocatepetl | Mexico : Each day during 22-28 November CENAPRED reported 188-725 emissions from Popocatépetl, and as many as five explosions. Two explosions on 23 November produced minor ashfall in the municipalities of Huaquechula (30 km SSW), Tepeojuma (39 km SE), Atlixco (23 km SE), and Izúcar de Matamoros (50 km SSE), in the state of Puebla. After one explosion (at 1413) there was a 90-minute period of emissions. After an explosion at 0512 on 24 November (the second of five recorded that day) a 108-minute-period of emissions was recorded. Minor amounts of ash fell in Atlixco. Almost two hours of continuous emissions of gas, steam, and ash began at 1711, producing a plume that rose as high as 4 km above the crater rim and drifted SSE. Ashfall was reported in San Pedro Benito Juárez (10-12 km SE) and Atlixco, in the state of Puebla. An explosion at 2252 ejected incandescent fragments as far as 1 km from the crater. An ash plume rose 2.5 km and drifted SSE. Two periods of emissions were recorded on 25 November, at 1110 (lasting 132 minutes) and 1929 (lasting 35 minutes). During an overflight that day observers noted that recent explosive activity had increased the dimensions of the internal crater (the crater on the main crater floor) to 370 m in diameter and 110 m deep. A 121-minute-long period of emissions began at 1529 on 27 November, with plumes rising at least 3 km and drifting SSE. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.

Reventador | Ecuador : During 22-28 November IG reported a high level of seismic activity including explosions, long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremor, and signals indicating emissions at Reventador. Steam and ash plumes rose at least 600 m above the crater rim and drifted NW and W. Incandescent blocks rolled as far as 800 m down the flanks. Weather clouds sometimes prevented visual observations.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya slightly decreased compared to the previous week; there was an average of 78 explosions recorded per day during 20-26 November. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 4.2 km above the crater rim and drifted 50 km NE, N, and NW. The MIROVA system detected 11 thermal anomalies. The sulfur dioxide flux was high, at 2,944 tons per day on 23 November. The report noted that the public should not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 17-18, 20, and 22 November; weather clouds prevented observations on the other days during 19-24 November. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on observations by PVMBG, satellite and webcam images, and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 21-25 November ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3.4-6.7 km (11,000-22,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W, WSW, ESE, and E. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4).