Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 8 August -14 August 2018

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : According to the Darwin VAAC, a webcam recorded an ash emission from Agung rising to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting W. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) with the exclusion zone set at a 4-km radius.

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were five events and three explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 6-13 August, with ash plumes rising as high as 1.6 km above the crater rim and material ejected as far as 900 m. Crater incandescence was sometimes visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite data, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 8-14 August ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, and E.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 3-10 August that sent ash plumes as high as 3.7 km (12,100 ft) a.s.l. An ash cloud identified in satellite data drifted about 65 km E during 7-8 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that on 9 August heavy rain triggered lahars that traveled down the Seca drainage on Fuego’s W flank and the Mineral drainage, carrying tree trunks and blocks as large a 2 m in diameter. During 12-14 August weak-to-moderate explosions generated ash plumes that rose almost as high as 1 km above the summit and drifted W and SW. Incandescent material was ejected 150 m high, and avalanches of blocks descended the Cenizas (SSW), Las Lajas (SE), and Santa Teresa (W) drainages. Ashfall was reported in Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I (8 km SW), and finca Palo Verde.

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 0259 on 13 August an event at Ibu generated an ash plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 4 August, and an ash cloud drifted 50 km SE on 7 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that during 8-14 August activity at Kilauea was characterized by a slowly-circulating lava pond deep within the Fissure 8 vent (though the pond was crusted over by 14 August) and a billowing gas plume, and a few scattered ocean entries. The summit area was quiet except for occasional rockfalls into the crater. Fresh black sand from fragmented lava was transported SW by the ocean current, and accumulated in the Pohoiki harbor, creating a sandbar. The westernmost ocean entry was about 1 km NE of the harbor. Earthquake and deformation data indicated no magma movement or pressurization in the system.

Krakatau | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that during 8-13 August incandescence emanated from Anak Krakatau at night. According to the Darwin VAAC, satellite data showed an ash plume rising to an altitude of 1.2 km (4,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting W on 11 August. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4); residents and visitors were warned not to approach the volcano within 1 km of the crater.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 12-14 August Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 30 m above the crater rim. A 300-m-long lava flow originating from Mackenney Crater was visible on NW flank.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosions at Sabancaya averaged 23 per day during 6-12 August. Hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and low magnitude. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.9 km above the crater rim and drifted 40 km SE, E, and NE. The MIROVA system detected five thermal anomalies, and on 9 August the sulfur dioxide gas flux was high at 2,700 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 satellite images showed a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch during 6-7 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Sierra Negra | Isla Isabela (Ecuador) : IG reported that the eruption at Sierra Negra continued during 7-14 August. Incandescence from active NNW lava flows was visible almost nightly. A steam-and-gas plume rose 1.8 km a.s.l. and drifted W on 7 August.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that during 3-10 August white plumes rose as high as 1 km above the rim of Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater, and incandescence from the crater was visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that pulsating, passive ash emissions rising from Turrialba and drifting W were visible during periods of clear weather on 10 August. The next day a strong sulfur odor was reported in parts of Heredia (38 km W) and San José (36 km WSW).