Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 17 January - 23 January 2018

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Agung continued during 17-23 January, with gas-and-steam plumes rising from the crater punctuated by occasional ash emissions. An event at 2126 on 17 January generated a plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim and drifted E. An event was recorded at 1944 on 18 January, though fog prevented confirmation of a plume. At 1920 on 19 January a Strombolian event produced an ash plume that rose as high as 2.5 km and drifted E, and ejected incandescent material as far as 1 km from the crater. Incandescence emanated from the crater for about two hours after the event. White-to-gray plumes rose 500 m during 22-23 January. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4) and the exclusion zone continued at a 6-km radius.

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that two of the nine events at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were explosive during 15-22 January. Plumes rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim, and material was ejected as far as 500 m from the crater. During field observations on 16 January scientists measured a high amount of sulfur dioxide emissions at 2,600 tons/day; the last measurement was 1,800 tons/day on 25 December 2017. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : Based on recent satellite data AVO reported on 19 January that a new lava flow had been emplaced within Cleveland’s summit crater sometime since the last observations of elevated surface temperatures on 5 January. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 19-22 January. No activity was detected by seismic or infrasound sensors during 20-23 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 11-12, 14-16, and 18 January generated ash plumes that rose as high as 3.1 km (10,200 ft) a.s.l. Minor ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk during 15-16 and 18 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Great Sitkin | Andreanof Islands (USA) : On 18 January AVO reported that seismicity at Great Sitkin had declined over the past two months to near background levels. In addition, no significant activity was observed in satellite data during this time period and no steam plumes were noted. AVO lowered the Aviation colour Code and Volcano Alert Level to Green/Normal.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a small ash cloud was identified in satellite data drifting near Karymsky on 18 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 17-23 January HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain. Early in the morning on 19 January rocks from the inside of Halema’uma’u crater fell into the lava lake producing a short-lived explosion of spatter and wallrock that blanketed an area around the former visitor overlook. Debris fell as far as the Halema?uma?u parking lot.

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : Based on satellite observations KVERT reported that a weak thermal anomaly over Klyuchevskoy was visible during 11-12, 15, and 17 January. Gas-and-steam plumes containing some ash drifted about 120 km W and E during 12 and 17-18 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 18-19 January Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater ejected material 25 m above the main cone. In a special report from 20 January INSIVUMEH noted that the Strombolian activity had been cyclically building and destroying a cone within the crater. Scientists at the Observatorio del Volcan de Pacaya (OVPAC) observed a 400-m-long lava flow descending the W flank, spalling off material from the front. Strombolian explosions continued during 20-21 January, and a 200-m-long lava flow was advancing down the SW flank.

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 57 explosions recorded per day during 15-21 January. 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 50 km NW. The MIROVA system detected six thermal anomalies. The sulfur dioxide flux was high, at 3,410 tons per day on 19 January. 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 12-19 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : PVMBG and BNPB reported that ash plumes at Sinabung were seen rising as high as 3.5 km above the crater during 18-23 January and drifting E, SE, and W, although sometimes foggy conditions prevented visual observations. Avalanches of incandescent material traveled as far as 1.5 km down the ESE flank during 21-23 January. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone 3 km and extensions of 7 km on the SSE sector, and 6 km in the ESE sector, and 4 km in the NNE sector.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Turrialba at 0000 on 22 January generated a plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted NW.