Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 29 November - 5 December 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that an explosion at Minamidake summit crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) occurred at 1637 on 27 November, and generated an ash plume that rose 2 km above the crater rim. Nighttime crater incandescence was sometimes visible during 27 November-1 December. Very small events occurred at Minamidake Crater on 1 December, and at Showa Crater during 2-3 December. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that during 29 November-5 December no significant activity was visible in cloudy to mostly 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.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 29 November-5 December ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 2.1-2.3 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, ESE, and SE.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 25-26 and 28-30 November generated ash plumes that rose as high as 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk on 28 November. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Etna | Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that, although weather conditions often prevented views of Etna during 27 November-3 December, gas emissions from the summit craters were visible along with ash emissions from a series of explosions from the vent in the saddle between the Southeast Crater (SEC) - New Southeast Crater (NSEC) cone complex.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : Based on satellite data KVERT reported that an eruption at Karymsky began at about 0630 on 4 December and generated an ash cloud that rose to an altitude of km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. An ash cloud 16 x 12 km in dimension was identified in satellite images about three hours later, 92 km E of the volcano. The Aviation colour Code was raised to Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 29 November-5 December 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.

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 69 explosions recorded per day during 27 November-3 December. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 3.3 km above the crater rim and drifted 40 km NE and SW. The MIROVA system detected eight thermal anomalies. The sulfur dioxide flux was high, at 2,036 tons per day, on 28 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 24 November-1 December. 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 29 November and 1-2 December ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3.4-4.9 km (11,000-16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and E.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small event at Turrialba at 1319 on 1 December generated a weak ash plume that rose 50 m above the crater rim and drifted SW.