Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 27 June – 3 July 2018

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that on 29 June a very small eruption occurred at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano). An explosion at 2319 on 1 July produced an ash plume that rose 400 m above the crater rim and ejected material 500 m away. Crater incandescence was visible at night on 2 July. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Ambae | Vanuatu : The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department reported that an ash plume from a cone in Ambae’s Lake Voui was visible on 1 July. The report warned residents that ashfall was expected in areas to the NW and W. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5), and the report reminded residents to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater.

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images during 22-29 June. The Aviation colour Code remained at Yellow.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that unrest at Cleveland continued during 27 June-3 July, though nothing significant was detected in seismic or infrasound data. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 29 June-2 July; the thermal anomaly extended SW downslope in the crater consistent with a lava flow. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on PVMBG observations and satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 27 June-3 July ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and W.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 26-27 June that sent ash plumes as high as 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH and CONRED reported that 2-7 weak explosions per hour at Fuego generated ash plumes that rose as high as 650 m above the crater rim and drifted W and SW during 27-29 June and 1-3 July. Ashfall was reported on 27 June in areas downwind including Sangre de Cristo and Yepocapa. Avalanches of material descended the S, SW, and W flanks (Santa Teresa, Las Lajas, El Jute, and Cenizas drainages). According to CONRED, as of 3 July, the number of people confirmed to have died due to the 3 June pyroclastic flows was 113, and 197 remained missing. In addition, 12,823 remained evacuated.

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that the eruption at Kilauea’s Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) and at Halema`uma`u Crater continued during 27 June-3 July. Lava fountaining and spatter was concentrated at Fissure 8, feeding lava flows that spread through Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions, and built out the coastline where the fast-moving flow entered the ocean in the area of the former Kapoho Bay. Fissure 22 produced a few short lava flows during 30 June-3 July.

Inward slumping of the crater rim and walls of Halema`uma`u continued, adjusting from the withdrawal of magma and subsidence of the summit area. Steam plumes rose from areas in the crater as well as from circumferential cracks adjacent to the crater. Explosions from collapse events occurred almost daily, producing gas-and-ash-poor plumes that rose less than 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.

Fountaining at Fissure 8 continued; lava fountains rarely rose higher than the 55-m-high spatter cone. Pele's hair and other volcanic glass from the fountaining fell within Leilani Estates. The fountains continued to feed the fast-moving lava flow that traveled NE, and then SE around Kapoho Crater, and into the ocean. Occasional overflows sent small flows down the sides of the channel. Lava entered the ocean on the S side of the flow front mainly through an open channel, but also along a 1-km-long area marked with billowing laze plumes. A thermal map showed that on 29 June the lava channel had crusted over about 0.8 km inland from the ocean entry, with lava moving beneath the crust.

Kirishimayama | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that at Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group, an event at 1534 on 27 June generated a plume that rose 2.2 km above the crater rim. The report stated that since the beginning of May the rate of deformation had slowed, and tiltmeter data showed no change. In addition, sulfur dioxide emissions had decreased from 1,000 tons/day on mid-March to 80 tons/day on 1 June. On 28 June the Alert Level was lowered to 2 (on a scale of 1-5).

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : On 29 June KVERT reported that activity at Klyuchevskoy had decreased, with the last ash plume visible on 15 June. Gas-and-steam emissions continued. The Aviation colour Code was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).

Mayon | Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that white steam plumes from Mayon rose 750 m above the crater rim on 30 June and drifted NE, N, NW, and SW. On 1 July white plumes drifted down the flanks. A short-lived event at 1234 produced a gray gas plume. Crater incandescence was visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 0-5 scale) and PHIVOLCS reminded residents to stay away from the 6-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the SSW and ENE flanks.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 28-29 June and 1-3 July Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 30 m above the crater rim. White gas plumes drifted S.

Reventador | Ecuador : IG stated that an explosion at Reventador was detected at 1116 on 2 July, producing an ash plume that was reported by the Washington VAAC to have risen 3 km above the crater rim. Ashfall was reported in the Cayambe (57 km WNW) and in the town of Juan Montalvo.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosions at Sabancaya averaged 24 per day during 25 June-1 July. Hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and low magnitude. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim and drifted 30 km S, SE, and E. The MIROVA system detected six thermal anomalies, and on 21 June the sulfur dioxide gas flux was high at 3,000 tons/day. The report noted that the public should not 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 23-29 June. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).