Volcanos

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Erupts Dramatically After a 5.1-Magnitude Quake

After authorities had warned for several days of an impending eruption, Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano delivered Thursday. White clouds of steam and volcanic gases rose high in the sky above the southeastern part of Hawaii Island.

A river of destructive lava flowing underground was released around 4:30 p.m. local time into a residential subdivision, prompting people in the area to pack their belongings and abandon their homes.

On some streets the bright red-orange lava could be seen spurting out of cracks in the ground. The deafening sound of grinding rocks filled the air and “white, hot vapor and blue fumes emanated” from the cracking.

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 25 April - 1 May 2018

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 2245 on 30 April an event at Agung generated an ash plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim and drifted SW. Seismicity was dominated by low-frequency earthquakes related to gas-and-steam emissions. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the exclusion zone continued at a 4-km radius.

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were nine events and 30 explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 20 April-1 May. Tephra was ejected as far as 1.3 km from the crater, and ash plumes rose as high as 3.3 km above the crater rim. Crater incandescence was visible at night on 20, 23, 26, and 30 April. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 25 April-1 May ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.1 km (5,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, and SE.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 21 and 25 April that sent ash plumes as high as 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Kikai | Japan : JMA reported that the number of volcanic earthquakes at Satsuma Iwo-jima, a subaerial part of Kikai’s NW caldera rim, was low during 20-26 April. White plumes rose as high as 700 m above the Iwo-dake lava dome; incandescence from the crater had not been visible since 12 April. During field surveys on 25 and 26 April observers noted a slight expansion of a thermally anomalous area compared to 24-25 March observations, and a decrease in sulfur dioxide flux from 600 tons/day on 24 March to 300 tons/day. The Alert Level was reduced to 1 (on a 5-level scale) on 27 April.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH and CONRED reported that during 27-28 April seismicity at Pacaya had increased, and moderate-to-strong explosions ejected material as high as 150 m above the crater rim. Lava originating from the 2010 fissure traveled about 500 m NW, towards Cerro Chino. The report noted that ejected material has filled the crater.

Popocatepetl | Mexico : CENAPRED reported that each day during 25 April-1 May there were 63-114 steam and gas emissions from Popocatépetl, often containing ash. Incandescence from the crater was visible at night. As many as five explosions per day were recorded during 25-29 April, with resulting eruption plumes rising around 1 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.

Reventador | Ecuador : During 24 April-1 May IG reported a high level of seismic activity including explosions, long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremor, and signals indicating emissions at Reventador. Steam, gas, and ash plumes sometimes rose higher than 1 km above the crater rim and drifted NE, NW, and W. On 27 April incandescent blocks rolled as far as 800 m down the flanks, and a small pyroclastic flow traveled down the E 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; explosions averaged 22 per day during 23-29 April. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events and signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2 km above the crater rim and drifted 30 km NE and SE. 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 weak thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 21 and 23-25 April. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Stromboli | Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that on 24 April an intense explosive sequence occurred at vents on Stromboli’s south-central crater terrace area. The first explosion, recorded at 1105, ejected an abundant amount of ash, incandescent material, and large blocks to a height of 250 m that fell onto the summit area and along the Sciara del Fuoco. An explosive event at 1106 was characterized by modest lava fountaining. The last event, recorded at 1110, ejected pyroclastic material, though it was less intense than the first. An ash plume from the sequence quickly dispersed SE.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : Based on JMA notices and satellite data, the Tokyo VAAC reported an explosion at Suwanosejima on 24 April, and that events during 27-29 April produced plumes that rose 1.2-2.1 km (4,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Turrialba at 0700 on 26 April generated a small ash plume that rose 300 m above the crater rim and drifted W.

Yasur | Vanuatu : On 25 April the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department (VMGD) reported that ongoing explosive activity at Yasur was confined to the crater. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-4). VGO reminded residents and tourists that hazardous areas were near and around the volcanic crater, within a 395-m-radius permanent exclusion zone, and that volcanic ash and gas could reach areas impacted by trade winds.